ABSTRACT

Introduction: Sarcopenia (muscle atrophy) is the steady loss of muscle mass and strength that occurs as people age due to a lack of physical activity, smoking, nutritional variables, and disease.

Objective: The objective of the study was the prevalence of sarcopenia in the general population and the risk factors affecting it in the age 20-40.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 147 physically active (males and females), aged from 20-40, nonsmokers, and nonalcoholic individuals calculated from OpenEpi for over four months selected by purposive sampling technique. Data was calculated by the SARC-F questionnaire and MSRA questionnaire. The data was analyzed by SPSS V22. Pearson correlation was used between the MSRA questionnaire and the SARC-F questionnaire, and between the SARC-F Questionnaire and the age of the individuals.

Results: There were 66 females and 71 males in the sample size. The sarcopenia prevalence was 42% (61/147) in the overall population but lower risk of sarcopenia in participants aged between 20-40 years. There is only a tenuous connection between the MSRA and SARC-F questionnaires and a weak relationship between SARC-F and the age of subjects.

Conclusion: The usage of SARC-F has been concluded as simple, inexpensive, and an effective predictor in determining the early risk of sarcopenia.

Keywords: Muscle loss, MSRA Questionnaire, Risk factors, Sarcopenia, SARC-F Questionnaire.