Associations of Calf Circumference, Nutritional Status, and Widowhood with Sarcopenia Severity in Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Dementia: Insights into Muscle Function

Wang, Yu-Nu; Yarahmadi, Sajad; Wang, Ya-Ni

doi:10.22087/ijac.2025.520667.1060

Associations of Calf Circumference, Nutritional Status, and Widowhood with Sarcopenia Severity in Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Dementia: Insights into Muscle Function

Document Type : Research

Authors

Yu-Nu Wang ¹

Sajad Yarahmadi ²

Ya-Ni Wang ¹

¹ Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, No.261 Wenhua 1st Rd., Guishan Dist., Taoyuan City 33303, Taiwan

² School of Nursing and Midwifery, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran.

10.22087/ijac.2025.520667.1060

Abstract

The coexistence of dementia and sarcopenia accelerates functional decline and increases the risk of adverse outcomes. While most dementia care research focuses on cognitive and behavioral symptoms, less attention has been paid to physical, nutritional, and social factors associated with muscle health. This study examined the associations of calf circumference, marital status, and nutritional status with sarcopenia severity, as well as their relationships with muscle strength, muscle mass, and physical performance in community-dwelling older adults with dementia. A secondary analysis of cross-sectional data was conducted with 120 older adults (mean age = 79.12 [7.13] years; 63.33% female) with mild to moderate dementia (Clinical Dementia Rating 0.5-2). Sarcopenia severity was classified according to the 2019 Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia criteria. Calf circumference, body weight, body mass index (BMI), Mini Nutritional Assessment scores, and marital status were measured. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests, ANOVA, t-tests, and Pearson correlation coefficients. More severe sarcopenia was associated with significantly smaller calf circumference (F = 25.01, p < .001), lower weight (F = 15.58, p < .001), BMI (F = 11.57, p < .001), and MNA scores (F = 8.62, p < .001). A higher proportion of widowed individuals was found in more severe sarcopenia groups (χ² = 7.73, p = .047). Calf circumference, widowhood, and nutritional indicators were significantly associated with muscle strength and mass, though not with physical performance. These findings suggest that simple anthropometric, nutritional, and social assessments can help identify sarcopenia risk and inform targeted care strategies for older adults with dementia.

Keywords

Anthropometry

Dementia

Nutritional status

Sarcopenia

Widowhood

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