# Evaluation of Prevalence and Risk Factors of Possible Sarcopenia Based on SARC‐F in Adults Over 60 in Tegucigalpa, Honduras: A Cross‐Sectional Study

## TL;DR

This study finds that nearly half of older adults in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, may have sarcopenia, with women showing higher frailty rates despite lower BMI, suggesting a need for sex-specific health interventions.

## Contribution

The study provides the first prevalence data on sarcopenia and frailty in older adults in Honduras, highlighting sex-specific risk factors and the role of vascular factors.

## Key findings

- 48% of participants screened positive for possible sarcopenia using the SARC-F tool.
- Women had higher frailty prevalence across all age groups despite lower BMI compared to men.
- Mean arterial pressure correlated modestly with sarcopenia risk, suggesting vascular factors may influence functional decline.

## Abstract

Sarcopenia, a progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and function, poses a growing public health challenge in low and middle‐income settings. We aimed to quantify its prevalence and identify sex‐specific risk factors among older adults attending a public outpatient clinic in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

In a hospital‐based, age‐stratified random sample, we enrolled 100 participants (73 women and 27 men; mean age = 69.7 ± 6.9 years) during July 2024. Possible sarcopenia and frailty were assessed using SARC‐F and FRAIL questionnaires, respectively. Body mass index was calculated under standardized conditions and mean arterial pressure (MAP) was derived from blood pressure measurements. Normality of continuous variables was evaluated with the Shapiro–Wilk test. Between‐sex differences were analyzed using Welch's t‐test for continuous variables and χ
2 test for categorical variables (α = 0.05). Pearson's correlation was employed to assess associations between SARC‐F scores and clinical variables.

Possible sarcopenia (SARC‑F ≥ 4) was present in 48% of participants (95% CI = 38–58), while 40% met criteria for frailty. Women showed a significantly higher mean BMI than men (28.0 ± 5.7 kg m−2 vs. 24.9 ± 4.5 kg m−2; t = 2.8, p = 0.007) yet a comparable MAP (102 ± 13 mmHg vs. 99 ± 13 mmHg; p = 0.33). Frailty prevalence remained higher in women across all age strata (42.5% vs. 37.0%), although the sex difference was not statistically significant (χ
2 = 0.2, p = 0.9). SARC‑F scores correlated modestly with MAP (r = 0.3, p = 0.003) but not with age (r = 0.1, p = 0.3) or BMI (r = 0.1, p = 0.4).

Nearly half of older adults were at risk of sarcopenia and two‐fifths were frail, with women more affected. Elevated blood pressure was linked to functional decline.

In a randomly selected outpatient cohort of older adults in Tegucigalpa, 48% screened positive for possible sarcopenia (SARC‑F ≥ 4) and 40% were classified as frail, underscoring a substantial musculoskeletal health burden.Women exhibited higher frailty prevalence across every age stratum despite a lower mean BMI, whereas men showed greater BMI and arterial‑pressure elevations, highlighting the need for sex‑tailored interventions.Mean arterial pressure displayed a modest but significant positive correlation with SARC‑F scores (r = 0.29, p = 0.003), while age and BMI were not independently associated, suggesting vascular factors may contribute to functional decline beyond traditional anthropometrics.

In a randomly selected outpatient cohort of older adults in Tegucigalpa, 48% screened positive for possible sarcopenia (SARC‑F ≥ 4) and 40% were classified as frail, underscoring a substantial musculoskeletal health burden.

Women exhibited higher frailty prevalence across every age stratum despite a lower mean BMI, whereas men showed greater BMI and arterial‑pressure elevations, highlighting the need for sex‑tailored interventions.

Mean arterial pressure displayed a modest but significant positive correlation with SARC‑F scores (r = 0.29, p = 0.003), while age and BMI were not independently associated, suggesting vascular factors may contribute to functional decline beyond traditional anthropometrics.

Why Does This Paper Matter?
∘This study highlights the public health issues of sarcopenia and frailty among older adults, conditions that significantly impact quality of life and healthcare demands in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. By examining the prevalence and associated risk factors, particularly gender differences and socioeconomic variables. The research reveals that women are more susceptible to frailty, even with a lower body mass index (BMI) than men. This finding underscores the influence of hormonal fluctuations and social determinants of health. Despite the prevalence of sarcopenia in the population, there is currently no comprehensive or structured approach to its diagnosis, prevention, or management within the public health system or clinical practice settings in Honduras. This lack of integration impedes early detection and restricts the effectiveness of potential interventions. Understanding these risks is vital for improving health outcomes and alleviating pressure on healthcare systems, particularly in the context of an aging population. This study is especially relevant given the projected demographic shifts, where the proportion of older adults is expected to increase significantly. As the first in a series aimed at characterizing sarcopenia within Honduran society, this work provides essential baseline data. It also emphasizes the national importance of generating regionally specific evidence such as that from Tegucigalpa to inform public health policies and engage academic, regulatory, and healthcare institutions in coordinated strategies.

Why Does This Paper Matter?
∘This study highlights the public health issues of sarcopenia and frailty among older adults, conditions that significantly impact quality of life and healthcare demands in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. By examining the prevalence and associated risk factors, particularly gender differences and socioeconomic variables. The research reveals that women are more susceptible to frailty, even with a lower body mass index (BMI) than men. This finding underscores the influence of hormonal fluctuations and social determinants of health. Despite the prevalence of sarcopenia in the population, there is currently no comprehensive or structured approach to its diagnosis, prevention, or management within the public health system or clinical practice settings in Honduras. This lack of integration impedes early detection and restricts the effectiveness of potential interventions. Understanding these risks is vital for improving health outcomes and alleviating pressure on healthcare systems, particularly in the context of an aging population. This study is especially relevant given the projected demographic shifts, where the proportion of older adults is expected to increase significantly. As the first in a series aimed at characterizing sarcopenia within Honduran society, this work provides essential baseline data. It also emphasizes the national importance of generating regionally specific evidence such as that from Tegucigalpa to inform public health policies and engage academic, regulatory, and healthcare institutions in coordinated strategies.

This study highlights the public health issues of sarcopenia and frailty among older adults, conditions that significantly impact quality of life and healthcare demands in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. By examining the prevalence and associated risk factors, particularly gender differences and socioeconomic variables. The research reveals that women are more susceptible to frailty, even with a lower body mass index (BMI) than men. This finding underscores the influence of hormonal fluctuations and social determinants of health. Despite the prevalence of sarcopenia in the population, there is currently no comprehensive or structured approach to its diagnosis, prevention, or management within the public health system or clinical practice settings in Honduras. This lack of integration impedes early detection and restricts the effectiveness of potential interventions. Understanding these risks is vital for improving health outcomes and alleviating pressure on healthcare systems, particularly in the context of an aging population. This study is especially relevant given the projected demographic shifts, where the proportion of older adults is expected to increase significantly. As the first in a series aimed at characterizing sarcopenia within Honduran society, this work provides essential baseline data. It also emphasizes the national importance of generating regionally specific evidence such as that from Tegucigalpa to inform public health policies and engage academic, regulatory, and healthcare institutions in coordinated strategies.