Vigorous activity level and risk of sarcopenia: A study among the Wanchos of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, India

Abstract

Background: Sarcopenia is the progressive and generalized loss of muscle mass. Studies focusing on sarcopenia generally are limited to older adults, but recent developments have proven that the risk of sarcopenia arises from young adulthood itself. Aim and Objectives: This present study focuses on the risk of sarcopenia as an important health risk among the adult Wanchos of Arunachal Pradesh, a marginalised population of North-East India. Material and Methods: A total of 400 adult Wanchos (221 males and 179 females) ranging from 20 to 60 years of age were measured for height, weight, waist circumference, Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), blood pressure and grip strength. Data collection on physical activity was done with the help of WHO Step-wise instrument version 3.2, 2004. Results: Overall, 45.25% females were found to be at risk of sarcopenia or having low muscle strength, which was significantly higher than found among the males, (4.07%). Vigorous to moderate physical activity level was found to be 1.495 times likely to increase the chances of having sarcopenia among the adult Wancho males. This was almost twice among the females. Conclusion: The dominant hand was found among males and females to be having low muscle strength in most of the cases, who performed mostly vigorous to moderate activity on most days in a week. Physical activity level was found to be the strongest predictor of risk of sarcopenia among the adult Wanchos, which started among the male after mid 30's and after mid 20's among the females.

Keywords

• physical activity level
• sarcopenia
• grip strength
• wancho ethnic