From the time we are born until about the time we reach the age of 30, our muscles grow and get stronger. But sometime after 30, we begin to lose muscle mass and function, a condition known as age-related sarcopenia or aging sarcopenia.
In addition, as we grow older, the following factors play an important role:
- A decrease in the nerve cells responsible for sending signals from the brain to the muscles to initiate movement.
- Decreased concentrations of certain hormones, including growth hormone, testosterone, and insulin-like growth factor.
- Decreased ability of the body to synthesize proteins.
Inadequate calorie and/or protein intake to maintain muscle mass.
The prevalence of sarcopenia
A recent study* showed that 20% of elderly people in Europe suffer from sarcopenia and the figure is expected to climb to 63% by 2045.
Using the definition that provides the highest prevalence estimates, the number of people with sarcopenia in Europe in 2016 was 19,740,527 and is expected to increase to 32,338,990 in 2045 (a 63.8% increase). The overall prevalence of sarcopenia in the elderly will increase from 20.2% in 2016 to 22.3% in 2045. Women currently account for 66.4% of prevalent cases.
* Reference: OC24 The Future Prevalence of Sarcopenia in Europe O. Ethgen, C.
Tchokonte, C. Beaudart1, F. Buckinx, J.-Y. Reginster, O. Bruyère Osteoporosis International, Volume 27/ Suppl 1/ 2016
The Effects of Sarcopenia
Possible risks associated with sarcopenia?
- Reduced activities of daily living
- Reduced quality of life
- Falls
- Admission to nursing home/hospital
- Increased needs for social support
- Mortality
TANITA Sarcopenia Index
In 2011, Tanita recognized Healthy Aging as a key direction of research and product development and in 2012 at the International Nutrition Congress in Granada the definition, implications and prevention of Sarcopenic Obesity. was presented by TMAB. For the first time, Sarcopenic Obesity was openly discussed with the international scientific community.
Tanita followed the global debate and has now incorporated basic calculations to identify, diagnose and treat or prevent sarcopenia. Tanita offers clinically accurate body composition measurement, which allows the calculation of limb skeletal muscle mass (ASM) as well as skeletal muscle mass (SMI), parameters necessary to measure the Sarcopenia Index (SI).
Tanita BIA strong inSarcopenia scientific research
- Comparison of three BIA muscle indices for sarcopenia screening in old adults C.-I. Chang, C.-Y. Chen, K.-C. Huang, C.-H. Wu, C.A. Hsiung, C.-C. Hsu, C.-Y. Chen BC418 used to assess over 1000 subjects in Japanese community setting Cut off points were formulated for Japanese population
- Clin Interv Aging. 2015; 10: 663–671. Published online 2015 Mar 30. doi: 10.2147/CIA.S76275 Sarcopenia and impairment in cognitive and physical performance Magdalena I Tolea1 and James E Galvin1, Tanita BIA assessing over 200 elderly patients
- Association of sarcopenia and observed physical performance with attainment of multidisciplinary team planned treatment in non-small cell lung cancer: an observational study protocol Jemima T. BMC Cancer201515:544 BC418 USED TO EVALUATE MUSCLE MASS IN 100 SUBJECTS
- PREVALENCE OF SARCOPENIA IN ELDERLY WITH DEMENTIA INSTITUTIONALIZED: A MULTICENTER STUDY C.M. Sarabia Cobo1, V. Pérez2, C. Hermosilla2, M.J. Nuñez2, P. de Lorena2 1. Cantabria University, JARCP The Journal of Agin
- New Reference Values for Body Composition by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis in the General Population: Results From the UK Biobank Frits M.E. Franssen MD, PhD a,b, *, Erica P.A. Rutten PhD a , Miriam T.J. Groenen MSc a , Lowie E. Vanfleteren MD a,b , Emiel F.M. Wouters MD, PhD a,b , Martijn A. Spruit PhD a, BC418 used in cohort of 187,000 subjects
- Lean body mass associated with upper Body Strength in Healthy Older Adults While Higher Body Fat Limits Lower Extremity Performance and Endurance. nutrients, 7 (9), 7126-7142. BC418 used in cohort of 117 subjects
- Combined association of chronic disease and low skeletal muscle mass with physical performance in older adults in the Sarcopenia and Translational Aging Research in Taiwan (START) study Chia-Ing Li. BC418 used in 2398 subjects
