Muscle Mass as an Indicator of Health Status of Community-dwelling Elderly Persons in Japan

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine whether muscle mass, as measured by bioelectrical impedance, can be used as an indicator of the health status of community-dwelling elderly men and women. Methods: The subject were 110 men (73±6 years) and 284 women (74±7years) living in a metropolitan suburb and using a welfare center for the elderly. We analyzed appendicular muscle mass and whole-body muscle mass as measured by bioelectrical impedance. In addition, the relations between muscle mass and instrumental ADL and life-style, particularly diet and exercise, were examined. Results: Appendicular muscle mass and whole-body muscle mass decreased with age in both men and women, and men were shown to have greater muscle mass than women. Men with efficient instrumental ADL had greater muscle mass than those with inefficient instrumental ADL, and men who followed a varied diet or exercised periodically had greater appendicular muscle mass, whereas there were no significant differences in women. In men, muscle mass appeared to be related to efficiency in instrumental ADL and to life-style, particularly diet and exercise. Conclusions: These findings suggest that in men muscle mass can be used as an indicator of the health status of community-dwelling elderly persons in Japan