# The impact of physical activity and basal metabolic rate as mediators of years since menopause on sarcopenia in elderly women

## TL;DR

This study shows that physical activity and metabolic rate help explain how time since menopause affects muscle loss in older women.

## Contribution

The paper identifies physical activity and basal metabolic rate as key mediators linking years since menopause to sarcopenia risk in elderly women.

## Key findings

- Years since menopause is a risk factor for sarcopenia, partially mediated by lower physical activity and basal metabolic rate.
- Basal metabolic rate strongly correlates with muscle strength and physical performance measures in elderly women.
- Longer time since menopause is associated with decreased physical activity and BMR, increasing sarcopenia risk.

## Abstract

This study examined the mediating effects of physical activity (PA) and basal metabolic rate (BMR) on the relationship between years since menopause and sarcopenia in community-dwelling elderly women.

Based on AWGS 2019 criteria, 718 women aged ≥65 were classified into sarcopenia, possible sarcopenia, and control groups. Multiple logistic regression and mediator models were used to assess associations.

BMR correlated with grip strength (r=0.292), ASMI (r=0.750), and years since menopause (r=−0.246). Years since menopause negatively correlated with grip strength and SPPB (r=−0.315, −0.381; p<0.05). It was a risk factor for possible sarcopenia (OR=1.05; 95 % CI: 1.03–1.08). Low BMR and medium PA (vs. high) increased sarcopenia risk (OR=0.95 and 2.72, respectively). Direct effect of years since menopause was β=−0.010 (p=0.001); total mediating effect was 0.019 (p<0.001), mainly through BMR (0.007) and PA (0.001).

PA and BMR mediate the effect of years since menopause on sarcopenia risk. Longer duration since menopause decreases PA and BMR, elevating sarcopenia risk.