# The knowledge level and influencing factors of sarcopenia among Chinese community-dwelling older adults

## TL;DR

This study found that most older adults in Chinese communities lack knowledge about sarcopenia, with factors like age, education, and social isolation playing a role.

## Contribution

The study identifies key sociodemographic and behavioral factors influencing sarcopenia knowledge in Chinese older adults.

## Key findings

- Only 17.8% of participants had heard of sarcopenia.
- Those aged 75 and above were more likely to have inadequate sarcopenia knowledge.
- Participants with low education and no social activities had the highest proportion of low sarcopenia knowledge.

## Abstract

This study aimed to assess the knowledge level of sarcopenia and its influencing factors among Chinese community-dwelling older adults.

We conducted a cross-sectional study using the sociodemographic questionnaire, the Sarcopenia Knowledge Awareness Survey Scale and the SARC-CalF scales for data collection in 5 communities in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Influencing factors of sarcopenia knowledge were analyzed by logistic regression, and a decision tree model.

A total of 569 participants were included in the analysis. Only 17.8% participants had heard of sarcopenia, 19.3% of participants screened positive for sarcopenia, and 29.0% had a self-assessed muscle status that was inconsistent with the actual screened sarcopenia status. Those aged 75 years and above were more likely to have inadequate sarcopenia knowledge (OR=0.468,95% CI = 0.303–0.723). The group with the highest proportion of low sarcopenia knowledge consisted of those who lived alone or with children, had an education level of middle school or below, and never engaged in any social activities (97.6%).

Knowledge of sarcopenia among older adults in Chinese communities is still inadequate. Further tailored interventions may help to ameliorate this lack of knowledge.