Factors Associated with Changes in Skeletal Muscle Mass in Medical Health Checkups

TL;DR

The study identifies factors like age, BMI, and metabolic markers that influence changes in skeletal muscle mass in Japanese individuals.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into lifestyle and metabolic factors associated with skeletal muscle mass changes in a large Japanese population.

Findings

Age, BMI, and baseline fat-free index strongly correlate with changes in skeletal muscle mass.

Metabolic factors like fasting blood sugar and triglycerides are significant predictors in both men and women.

Alcohol intake is a notable factor influencing skeletal muscle mass changes in both genders.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: To explore the factors associated with changes in skeletal muscle mass among Japanese health checkup subjects (5214 men and 6614 women). Methods: Fat-free index (FF index) was defined as FF mass divided by height squared (kg/m2). Change rate in FF index (kg/m2/year) was defined as [FF index (second time) − FF index (first time (i.e., baseline))]/interval between first and second times (years). Factors associated with change rate in FF index >0 kg/m2/year were primarily examined. Results: The average age, body mass index (BMI) were 52.4 years and 23.9 kg/m2 for men, and 50.5 years and 21.8 kg/m2 for women. In the multivariate analyses, age (p < 0.0001), body mass index (BMI, p < 0.0001), baseline FF index (p < 0.0001), waist circumference (p = 0.0365), fasting blood sugar (FBS, p = 0.0012), alanine aminotransferase (p < 0.0001) and alcohol intake were found to be significant in men, while BMI (p < 0.0001), baseline FF index (p < 0.0001), triglyceride (p = 0.0031), FBS (p = 0.0064) and alcohol intake were found to be significant in women. Conclusions: Lifestyle guidance from various aspects including metabolic factors may be important to maintain skeletal muscle mass.

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