Sarcopenia in older Korean adults: links to HbA1c, blood pressure and lifestyle
In a 2023 Korean survey of 1394 adults aged 65 or older, 14% had sarcopenia; older age and HbA1c of 7.0% or higher were associated with higher odds, while higher body mass index, meeting the WHO physical activity guideline and alcohol use in the past year were associated with lower odds. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
Among 1394 adults aged 65 or older in the 2023 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 14% (n = 199) had sarcopenia by Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 criteria. [1]
Age 76 years or older and HbA1c of 7.0% or higher were associated with higher odds of sarcopenia, while body mass index of 25 kg/m² or higher, meeting the WHO physical activity guideline and alcohol consumption in the past year were associated with lower odds. [1]
Diastolic, but not systolic, blood pressure was lower among participants with sarcopenia; hypertension diagnosis and smoking were not significant. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Population-based cross-sectional study (secondary analysis of a national survey)
- Population / context
- 1394 adults aged 65 years or older in Korea, from the 2023 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- June 1, 2026
Sarcopenia prevalence in 1394 older Korean adults
This was a secondary analysis of the 2023 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a population-based cross-sectional study. It included 1394 adults aged 65 years or older. Sarcopenia was defined by Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 criteria: low appendicular skeletal muscle mass index and low handgrip strength. Prevalence was 14% (n = 199). Because the design is cross-sectional, it shows associations at one time point, not causes or changes over time.
Supporting source [1]
HbA1c, age and lifestyle linked to sarcopenia odds
Multivariable logistic regression adjusted for sociodemographic, behavioural and clinical covariates. Age 76 years or older (OR 3.19, 95% CI 2.27–4.49) and poor glycaemic control (HbA1c ≥ 7.0%; OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.16–3.08) were associated with higher odds of sarcopenia. Body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m² (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.21–0.48), meeting the WHO physical activity guideline (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.28–0.90) and alcohol consumption in the past year (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.41–0.82) were associated with lower odds. Hypertension diagnosis and smoking were not significant. These are associations, not proof of cause.
Supporting source [1]
Blood pressure measurement and abstract-only scope
Blood pressure was measured per standard protocol; fasting glucose and HbA1c were assayed in a central laboratory. Diastolic, but not systolic, blood pressure was lower among participants with sarcopenia. The authors conclude that findings support integrating HbA1c monitoring, exercise promotion and nutrition counselling into community and primary care. This explainer is based on the abstract only; the full text was not reviewed, so details of measurement, adjustment and limitations beyond the abstract are unknown.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. This is a cross-sectional secondary analysis, so it cannot establish causes or temporal order, and details of measurement and adjustment beyond the abstract are unknown.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Jang K. · europepmc.org · June 1, 2026