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Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine

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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Sarcopenia | Research article

Differences of body composition and physical strength among Japanese and Thai older adults living in Chiang Mai, Thailand: an inter-ethnic cross-sectional study

Authors: Takeshi Yoda, Bumnet Saengrut, Kensaku Miyamoto, Rujee Rattanasathien, Tatsuya Saito, Yasuko Ishimoto, Kanlaya Chunjai, Rujirat Pudwan, Kawin Sirimuengmoon, Hironobu Katsuyama

Published in: Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

The number of adults aged over 65 years is rapidly increasing in several Southeast Asian countries. Muscle mass decreases with age, leading to sarcopenia. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether differences exist in the body composition and physical strength, according to ethnicity, among community-dwelling Japanese and Thai older adults living in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand.

Methods

A survey was conducted in February and March 2019. Japanese and Thai adults aged ≥ 60 years living in Chiang Mai Province were recruited through community clubs. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire that enabled collection of data on age, sex, educational background, marital status, annual income, current medical conditions, smoking and alcohol consumption, and exercise habits. Measurements were collected on height, weight, body composition, blood pressure, hand grip, and walking speed for 6 m. Body composition was measured using a standing-posture 8-electrode multifrequency bioimpedance analysis analyzer. Hand grip of each hand was measured with the patient in the standing position using a digital grip dynamometer. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with skeletal muscle mass index (SMI).

Results

Of the total 119 participants, 47 were Japanese (26 men, 21 women) and 72 were Thai (16 men, 56 women). The prevalence of a low SMI was 3/26 (12%), 1/21 (5%), 6/16 (38%), and 5/56 (9%) among Japanese men, Japanese women, Thai men, and Thai women, respectively. The prevalence of low muscle strength was 2/26 (8%), 2/21 (10%), 3/16 (19%), and 13/56 (23%) among Japanese men, Japanese women, Thai men, and Thai women, respectively. There were significant differences between ethnic groups in body mass index for both sexes, percentage body fat in women, SMI in men, and average grip strength in men. Ethnic group, sex, age, and body mass index were independent predictors of SMI.

Conclusions

Ethnicity had a clinically important effect on body composition and physical strength among older Japanese and Thai adults living in a similar environment.

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Title: Differences of body composition and physical strength among Japanese and Thai older adults living in Chiang Mai, Thailand: an inter-ethnic cross-sectional study
Authors: Takeshi Yoda
Bumnet Saengrut
Kensaku Miyamoto
Rujee Rattanasathien
Tatsuya Saito
Yasuko Ishimoto
Kanlaya Chunjai
Rujirat Pudwan
Kawin Sirimuengmoon
Hironobu Katsuyama
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: Sarcopenia
Published in: Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine / Issue 1/2021
Print ISSN: 1342-078X
Electronic ISSN: 1347-4715
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12199-021-01017-0

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Differences of body composition and physical strength among Japanese and Thai older adults living in Chiang Mai, Thailand: an inter-ethnic cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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