This study assessed the association between sarcopenia and metabolic syndrome in Korean adults aged over 50 years. The study obtained data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, 2008-2011), a cross-sectional and nationally representative survey conducted by the Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Among the 8363 participants included in this study, the prevalence rate of sarcopenia according to metabolic syndrome was stratified by sex. Crude odds ratios not adjusted for any variables were 1.827 (1.496-2.231) in males, 2.189 (1.818-2.635) in females, and 2.209 (1.766-2.331) in total participants compared with non-sarcopenia. Model 3, which was adjusted for all variables that could affect sarcopenia and metabolic syndrome, showed significant increases in the odds ratios, to 1.957 (1.587-2.413) in males, 1.779 (1.478-2.141) in females, and 1.822 (1.586-2.095) for total participants. The results suggest that the association between sarcopenia and metabolic syndrome is significant in Korean adults.
Keywords: Korean; metabolic syndrome; sarcopenia.