Related factors of sarcopenia risk in Chinese older people - a cross-sectional study

Numerous factors, including age chronic disease, level of education, and depression, affect the health and function of skeletal muscles. However, it is still unclear which factors affect skeletal muscle health in older age groups across age range segments. Decision tree and logistic regression models were employed in this study to examine the factors that influence older adults' likelihood of developing sarcopenia. The database information of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) in 2015 was selected, and a sample of 2965 people who met the inclusion criteria was screened. Logistic regression research revealed that while height (p = 0.001, OR:0.979, 95%CI:0.967-0.992), triglycerides (p = 0.036, OR:0.999,95%CI:0.998-1.000), level of education (p = 0.004, OR:0.684,95%CI:0.530-0.883), and endowment insurance (p = 0.003, OR:0.598,95%CI: 0.427-0.839) were protective variables against sarcopenia in older adults, age (p < 0.001, OR:1.094,95%CI:1.079-1.110), depression (p = 0.003, OR:1.283,95%CI:1.089-1.512), and chronic disease(p < 0.012, OR:1.266,95%CI: 1.054-1.522) were risk factors for the condition. According to the decision tree model, the biggest determinant of an older person's chance of developing sarcopenia is age, which is followed by social communication, depression, chronic disease, level of education, and endowment insurance. In the aging Chinese population, sarcopenia risk is positively correlated with age, depression, and chronic disease, while it is adversely correlated with height, triglycerides, level of education, and endowment insurance. Level of education is the primary factor determining the risk of sarcopenia in older adults aged 60-69, while endowment insurance is the primary factor influencing the risk of sarcopenia in older adults aged 70-79. To prevent and intervene earlier in the beginning and progression of sarcopenia in the elderly, it is advised that knowledge of the condition be raised among the older population.