Sarcopenia, Obesity, and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors Among the Elder Population in Taiwan

Abstract

Background: Sarcopenia and obesity have become important public health and clinical issues worldwide, especially in an aging society like Taiwan. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cardiometabolic risk factors among the different weight status and grip strength status among elder individuals in Taiwan.Methods: We administered a series of community-based health surveys among the elder population in Chiayi County, Taiwan, from 2017 to 2019. Anthropometric characteristics, handgrip strength, and cardiometabolic risk profiles were measured using standard methods. History of chronic diseases was also asked. The questionnaires, including questions regarding any history of chronic diseases, were administered to the subjects under the assistance of a research technician.Results: This study recruited 3739 subjects (1600 males and 2139 females). The non-obese group had lower blood glucose (BG) levels compared to the obese group (100.3 ± 32.2 mg/dl vs 109.1 ± 34.3 mg/dl for the male subjects; 102.8 ± 32.1 mg/dl vs. 112.5 ± 40.3 mg/dl for the female subjects). The grip strength was negatively associated with BG in both sexes (β = −0.357, p < 0.001 for the male subjects male and β = −0.385, p < 0.05 for the female subjects). Relationship between the grip strength and the risk of cardiometabolic disease showed that for every 1 kg increase in the grip strength, there was a 4.1% and 4.5% decrease in the risk for developing diabetes in male and female subjects, respectively (OR = 0.959, 95% CI = 0.940–0.979 for males and OR = 0.955, 95% CI = 0.932–0.978 for females).Conclusions: A higher handgrip strength is associated with a lower BG level and lower risk for developing diabetes mellitus among elder population in Taiwan. Health promotion studies to increase muscle mass along with early rehabilitation programs should focus on the obese and sarcopenic population to prevent cardiometabolic comorbidities.