Association of socioeconomic factors and dietary intake with sarcopenic obesity in the Korean older population

Background and Objectives: This study investigated the relationship between socioeconomic factors, dietary intake, and sarcopenic obesity among older adults in Korea. Methods and Study Design: Data from the seventh Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016-2018) were analyzed. The study included 3,690 participants (1,645 men and 2,045 women) aged 65 years and older. Sarcopenic obesity was defined as the coexistence of low muscle strength (handgrip strength <28 kg in men and <18 kg in women) and abdominal obesity (waist circumference >90 cm in men and >85 cm in women). Socioeconomic factors assessed included age, living status, residential area, employment, education, and family income level. Dietary intake was evaluated using the nutrient adequacy ratio and mean adequacy ratio derived from 24-h dietary recall data. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with sarcopenic obesity. Results: The prevalence rates of sarcopenic obesity were 6.5% in men and 17.4% in women. Low education levels were significantly associated with a higher prevalence of sarcopenic obesity in women, whereas lower family income levels were associated with an increased risk of sarcopenic obesity in men. In women, a lower mean adequacy ratio was significantly associated with a higher risk of sarcopenic obesity. Conclusions: Lower family income and education level are associated with a higher prevalence of sarcopenic obesity. Additionally, overall nutritional adequacy is inversely related to the prevalence of sarcopenic obesity, particularly in women.