Perceived Neighborhood Environment Associated with Sarcopenia in Urban-Dwelling Older Adults: The Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study (KFACS)

Abstract

Sarcopenia is associated with adverse health outcomes among older individuals. However, little is known about its association with neighborhood environmental factors. We explored the relationship between sarcopenia and perceived neighborhood environmental factors among community-dwelling older adults aged 70–84 years. We analyzed 1778 participants (mean age of 75.9 ± 3.8 years; 54.0% women) who lived in urban areas and underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry from the Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study. Sarcopenia was defined according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 definition. Perceived neighborhood environmental factors were assessed using the Environmental Module of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-E). In the multivariate analysis, compared to the fifth quintile of the IPAQ-E score, the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for sarcopenia in the first, second, third, and fourth quintiles were 2.13 (1.40–3.24), 1.72 (1.12–2.64), 1.75 (1.15–2.66), and 1.62 (1.06–2.47), respectively. These neighborhood environmental characteristics were linked with an increased likelihood of sarcopenia: no public transportation access (OR = 2.04; 95% CI = 1.19–3.48), poor recreational facilities access (OR = 1.39; 95% CI = 1.01–1.90), absence of destination (OR = 1.53; 95% CI = 1.06–2.20), many hill hazards (OR = 1.36; 95% CI = 1.03–1.78), and lack of traffic safety (OR = 1.35; 95% CI = 1.02–1.78). Thus, better neighborhood environmental strategies may help prevent sarcopenia among urban-dwelling older adults.

The Effects of Neighborhood Physical and Social Environment on Physical Function among Japanese Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A One-Year Longitudinal Study

“…The results of multiple logistic regression analysis showed that older adults living in environments with good access to recreational facilities maintained their 5-m walking time performance after one year. Although positive associations between physical function and recreational facilities, which are factors of the physical environment, have been reported in cross-sectional studies [23,26], the present results strengthen the findings because of the longitudinal study design. In addition, good crime safety influenced the maintenance of TUG performance after one year.…”

“…Given the differences in cultural backgrounds between Western and Asian countries, recent studies conducted in Japan [21][22][23], China [24], and South Korea [25][26][27] have provided perspectives from the Asian region. Of these studies, one has examined the relationship between neighborhood physical and social environments and physical function [26].…”

“…Given the differences in cultural backgrounds between Western and Asian countries, recent studies conducted in Japan [21][22][23], China [24], and South Korea [25][26][27] have provided perspectives from the Asian region. Of these studies, one has examined the relationship between neighborhood physical and social environments and physical function [26]. However, as most previous studies in Asian countries were cross-sectional studies [21,[23][24][25][26][27], it has been difficult to clarify a causal relationship between physical function and neighborhood environment.…”

“…Of these studies, one has examined the relationship between neighborhood physical and social environments and physical function [26]. However, as most previous studies in Asian countries were cross-sectional studies [21,[23][24][25][26][27], it has been difficult to clarify a causal relationship between physical function and neighborhood environment. Our previous study, which evaluated both the physical and social aspects of the neighborhood environment, reported that access to recreational facilities was associated with physical function; however, that too was a cross-sectional study [28].…”

Screening of osteoporosis and sarcopenia in individuals aged 50 years and older at different altitudes in Yunnan province: Protocol of a longitudinal cohort study

“…Sarcopenia will have a major impact on the Asian aging population ( 26 ). The diagnosis of sarcopenia is also highly variable due to race, measurement methods, and living environments ( 27 , 28 ). High-altitude hypoxia is considered to be able to facilitate sarcopenia and fat distribution ( 26 , 29 , 30 ).…”