TY - JOUR
T1 - Lack of Knowledge Contrasts the Willingness to Counteract Sarcopenia Among Community-Dwelling Adults
AU - Van Ancum, Jeanine M.
AU - Meskers, Carel G.M.
AU - Reijnierse, Esmee M.
AU - Yeung, Suey S.Y.
AU - Jonkman, Nini H.
AU - Trappenburg, Marijke C.
AU - Pijnappels, Mirjam
AU - Maier, Andrea B.
PY - 2020/8/1
Y1 - 2020/8/1
N2 - OBJECTIVE: Sarcopenia is highly prevalent in older adults. Knowledge among community-dwelling adults is important for effective prevention and treatment of sarcopenia. This study aims to assess current knowledge about sarcopenia, investigate willingness for treatment and prevention, and awareness of muscle health.METHOD: Participants who attended health educational events completed a questionnaire on knowledge about sarcopenia. Self-perceived muscle health was assessed by visual analog scale. Objective muscle measures included muscle mass, handgrip strength, and gait speed.RESULTS: Included participants were 197 (median aged 67.9 years [interquartile range = 57.0-75.1]). Eighteen participants (9%) reported to know what sarcopenia is. Participants' self-perceived muscle health showed a low correlation with all objective muscle measures. 76% were willing, in case of sarcopenia diagnosis, to start treatment and 71% were willing to prevent sarcopenia.DISCUSSION: Knowledge about sarcopenia is limited while participants were willing to start treatment and prevention. Strategies to increase knowledge among community-dwelling adults are needed.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Sarcopenia is highly prevalent in older adults. Knowledge among community-dwelling adults is important for effective prevention and treatment of sarcopenia. This study aims to assess current knowledge about sarcopenia, investigate willingness for treatment and prevention, and awareness of muscle health.METHOD: Participants who attended health educational events completed a questionnaire on knowledge about sarcopenia. Self-perceived muscle health was assessed by visual analog scale. Objective muscle measures included muscle mass, handgrip strength, and gait speed.RESULTS: Included participants were 197 (median aged 67.9 years [interquartile range = 57.0-75.1]). Eighteen participants (9%) reported to know what sarcopenia is. Participants' self-perceived muscle health showed a low correlation with all objective muscle measures. 76% were willing, in case of sarcopenia diagnosis, to start treatment and 71% were willing to prevent sarcopenia.DISCUSSION: Knowledge about sarcopenia is limited while participants were willing to start treatment and prevention. Strategies to increase knowledge among community-dwelling adults are needed.
KW - education
KW - muscle
KW - nutrition
KW - physical activity
KW - sarcopenia
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U2 - 10.1177/0898264319852840
DO - 10.1177/0898264319852840
M3 - Article
C2 - 31156027
VL - 32
SP - 787
EP - 794
JO - Journal of Aging and Health
JF - Journal of Aging and Health
SN - 0898-2643
IS - 7-8
ER -
