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Cited by 466Nutrition and Health in AgingBody Composition Measurement TechniquesMuscle Physiology and Disorders

Weight stability masks sarcopenia in elderly men and women

Gallagher, Dympna, Ruts, Else, Visser, Marjolein, Heshka, Stanley, Baumgartner, Richard N., Wang, Jack, Pierson, Richard N., Pi-Sunyer, F. Xavier +1 more·2000·American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism
DOI 10.1152/ajpendo.2000.279.2.e366
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Abstract

Skeletal muscle loss or sarcopenia in aging has been suggested in cross-sectional studies but has not been shown in elderly subjects using appropriate measurement techniques combined with a longitudinal study design. Longitudinal skeletal muscle mass changes after age 60 yr were investigated in independently living, healthy men ( n = 24) and women ( n = 54; mean age 73 yr) with a mean ± SD follow-up time of 4.7 ± 2.3 yr. Measurements included regional skeletal muscle mass, four additional lean components (fat-free body mass, body cell mass, total body water, and bone mineral), and total body fat. Total appendicular skeletal muscle (TSM) mass decreased in men (−0.8 ± 1.2 kg, P = 0.002), consisting of leg skeletal muscle (LSM) loss (−0.7 ± 0.8 kg, P = 0.001) and a trend toward loss of arm skeletal muscle (ASM; −0.2 ± 0.4 kg, P = 0.06). In women, TSM mass decreased (−0.4 ± 1.2 kg, P = 0.006) and consisted of LSM loss (−0.3 ± 0.8 kg, P = 0.005) and a tendency for a loss of ASM (−0.1 ± 0.6 kg, P = 0.20). Multiple regression modeling indicates greater rates of LSM loss in men. Body weight in men at follow-up did not change significantly (−0.5 ± 3.0 kg, P = 0.44) and fat mass increased (+1.2 ± 2.4 kg, P = 0.03). Body weight and fat mass in women were nonsignificantly reduced (−0.8 ± 3.9 kg, P= 0.15 and −0.8 ± 3.5 kg, P = 0.12). These observations suggest that sarcopenia is a progressive process, particularly in elderly men, and occurs even in healthy independently living older adults who may not manifest weight loss.

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Authors
Gallagher, D., Ruts, E., Visser, M., Heshka, S., Baumgartner, R. N., Wang, J., Pierson, R. N., Pi-Sunyer, F. X., & Heymsfield, S. B.
Affiliations
  • St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center (US)
  • Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Research in Extramural Medicine, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands; and
  • University of New Mexico (US)
  • Department of Medicine, Obesity Research Center, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital, Columbia University, New York, New York 10025;
ORCID
Venue
American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism
Publisher
American Physiological Society
Published
2000-08-01
Volume
279
Issue
2
Pages
E366-E375
ISSN
  • 0193-1849 (ISSN-L)
  • 1522-1555
DOI
10.1152/ajpendo.2000.279.2.e366
OpenAlex
W1950801571
Cited by
466
References
36
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 21 · 2016: 20 · 2015: 26 · 2014: 25 · 2013: 19 · 2012: 30
FWCI
7.54
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (1r01ag013021-01)
  • National Institute on Aging (F32 AG05679, R29-AG 14715, R01-AG-13021., F32AG005679, R29AG014715)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Nutrition and Health in Aging
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Body Composition Measurement Techniques
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Muscle Physiology and Disorders
Keywords
sarcopenia, skeletal muscle mass, aging, older adults, weight stability, fat gain, sex differences, body composition
MeSH terms
Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Body Composition, Body Weight, Female, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Middle Aged, Muscular Atrophy, Potassium, Whole-Body Counting, Absorptiometry, Photon, Bone Density, Age Distribution, Sex Distribution, Muscle, Skeletal

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