Abstract Book of the 2nd Global Conference on Aging and Gerontology
Year: 2025
DOI:
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Determinants of Low Skeletal Muscle Mass Levels Among Older Adults: An ATHLOS Mega-Dataset Cross-Sectional Analysis
Stefanos Tyrovola, Iago Gine Vazque, Daniel Fernande, Josep Maria Har
ABSTRACT:
Background:The determinants that are related with muscle mass loss still remain understudied, especially among international populations. Big-data analysis in the field of ageing and life-sciences remains limited. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the determinants of low muscle mass using the international sample of ATHLOS. Methodology:For the purposes of this study, the ATHLOS harmonised dataset, which includes information from individuals aged 65+ in 38 countries, was analysed (n=119,839). Total muscle mass and body fat (BF) % were estimated by using indirect equations. Then a skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) was created by diving skeletal muscle mass with body mass index (BMI), following the literature. Higher SMI levels indicate higher muscle mass. The rest of the determinants were measured using standardized methods. Results:Linear regression adjusted for age, sex, education status, wealth, smoking habits, number of noncommunicable diseases, physical activity and BF % revealed that, greater age, and increased BF% were related with lower SMI among older adults, while higher wealth, education status and male gender were related with increased SMI. In addition, only moderate physical activity was related with higher skeletal SMI. Also, higher accumulated number of chronic diseases was associated with decreased SMI levels. Conclusions:Our results report the need for data integration in life science and musculoskeletal disorders especially among the older adults. In addition, low muscle mass prevention planning among older adults taking into account various factors could help them maintain a better quality of life (with less disability and higher functionality) throughout the ageing process.
keywords: skeletal muscle mass, ageing, determinants, functionality, ATHLOS