Adiposity and mediterranean diet adherence: a comparison between older women with and without sarcopenia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v68.113589Keywords:
Absorptiometry, Ageing, Muscle Strength, Mediterranean diet, SarcopeniaAbstract
Introduction: Older women with sarcopenia may have greater adiposity and worse dietary patterns than those without sarcopenia.
Objective: To analyze differences in Mediterranean diet adherence and adiposity levels between older women with and without sarcopenia.
Methods: A descriptive-comparative observational study was conducted with 180 women (60 to 90 years old) from Talca, Chile. Sarcopenia was evaluated using the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People algorithm. Adiposity was measured with dual X-ray absorptiometry, determining the amount and percentage of body fat in the arm, leg, and trunk segments, and the body mass index was measured. (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). Adherence to DM was evaluated using the MEDAS questionnaire. Statistical analysis used the t-test for independent samples (p < 0.05).
Results: The prevalence of sarcopenia was 18.8%. Women with sarcopenia showed a higher percentage of arm fat (p = .048), lower body mass index (p = .010), and lower adherence to the Mediterranean diet (p = .035) compared to their peers. No significant differences were observed in waist circumference (p = .067) or total fat mass (p = .272).
Conclusion: This study confirms that older women with sarcopenia have lower BMI, higher arm fat, and lower adherence to the Mediterranean diet than those without sarcopenia. These findings support the hypothesis that sarcopenia is associated with less favorable body composition and dietary profiles.
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