Learn Glossary clinical condition

Sarcopenia

Progressive, generalized skeletal muscle disorder characterized by low muscle strength, low muscle mass or quality, and low physical performance, increasing risk of falls, fractures, disability, and mortality.

EWGSOP2 (2019) and AWGS frameworks make low grip strength or chair-stand performance the primary criterion ("probable sarcopenia"), confirmed by reduced muscle mass via DXA, BIA, MRI, or CT, with severity defined by impaired physical performance. Etiologies include aging (primary), inactivity, malnutrition, chronic disease, and drug effects. Treatment combines resistance exercise with adequate protein intake (often 1.0-1.2 g/kg/day in older adults).

How each textbook covers it

  • duyff-complete-food-and-nutrition-guide-5e

  • Krause and Mahan's Food and the Nutrition Care Process, 16th ed.Chapter 20

    Sarcopenia is diagnosed via measures of muscle mass (e.g., DEXA, BIA), muscle strength (e.g., handgrip dynamometry), and physical performance (e.g., gait speed, chair stand). It predicts disability, falls, hospitalization, and mortality in older adults. Treatment combines progressive resistance training with adequate protein intake (often 1.0 to 1.2 g/kg/day, higher with stress).

  • Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease, 12th ed.Ch 47: Body Composition

    EWGSOP2 (2019) and AWGS frameworks make low grip strength or chair-stand performance the primary criterion ("probable sarcopenia"), confirmed by reduced muscle mass via DXA, BIA, MRI, or CT, with severity defined by impaired physical performance. Etiologies include aging (primary), inactivity, malnutrition, chronic disease, and drug effects. Treatment combines resistance exercise with adequate protein intake (often 1.0-1.2 g/kg/day in older adults).

Related terms

Cachexia, Frailty, GLIM criteria, Sarcopenic Obesity, Sarcopenic obesity