Abstract
BackgroundAppendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM) is a measure of body muscle content, and it correlates with nutrition and physical status. Estimation of ASMM using anthropometric models is a well-established strategy to overcome issues related to the restricted availability of sophisticated techniques in measuring ASMM. This study aimed to assess the validity of four selected anthropometric models in estimating ASMM in middle-aged women in Sri Lanka.MethodsA group of women (n = 165) aged 30–60 years underwent a series of anthropometric measurements such as body weight, height, circumferences, and skin fold thickness at specific sites. The limb circumferences were corrected for subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness. Two models developed by Lee et al. (ASM 1, ASM2) and two models developed by Wen et al. (ASM3, ASM4) were validated using ASMM measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (ASMMDXA) as the reference standard.ResultsMean (SD) age of the study group was 49.0 (8.2) years. Mean (SD) ASMMDXA and ASMM estimated by the four models were ASMMDXA = 15.39 (2.75) kg, ASM1 = 18.36 (3.27) kg, ASM2 = 16.46 (3.01) kg, ASM3 = 15.44 (2.40) kg, and ASM4 = 14.44 (2.45) kg. Correlations of ASMMDXA with ASMM estimated by the models were as follows: ASM1, r = 0.68, R2 = 0.46, SEE = 2.02 kg; ASM2, r = 0.90, R2 = 0.81, SEE = 1.18 kg; ASM3, r = 0.90, R2 = 0.81, SEE = 1.17 kg; and ASM4, r = 0.91, R2 = 0.82, SEE = 1.14 kg. ASMM estimated by ASM3 was not significantly different (P > 0.05) from ASMMDXA with mean difference of − 0.05 (range, 0.12 to − 0.23). Bland and Altman plot revealed satisfactory measurement agreements between ASM3 and ASMMDXA. The ASMM estimated by the other three models was significantly different from the ASMMDXA (P < 0.05).ConclusionThe ASM3 model introduced by Wen et al. met all validation criteria and can be recommended for the estimation of ASMM in middle-aged women in Sri Lanka.
Highlights
Appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM) is a measure of body muscle content, and it correlates with nutrition and physical status
75% of Skeletal muscle mass (SMM) is located in the appendicular region [5] called appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM), and reduction of ASMM leads to negative health consequences such as weakness, disability, impaired quality of life (QOL), and mortality resulting in increased health care burden [6, 7]
Study design, setting, and participants This cross-sectional study was conducted in a group of 165 healthy community-dwelling women, aged 30–60 years randomly selected from permanent residents in the Galle District, Sri Lanka, during the period July 2015–July 2016
Summary
Appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM) is a measure of body muscle content, and it correlates with nutrition and physical status. Estimation of ASMM using anthropometric models is a well-established strategy to overcome issues related to the restricted availability of sophisticated techniques in measuring ASMM. Skeletal muscle mass (SMM) is a key component of body composition, accounting for 30–40% of total body weight [1, 2]. It correlates with physical functions and health status [3] and involves in many processes related to health such as physiology, nutrition, clinical medicine [4], treatments, disease prevention, and long-term rehabilitation. The indices of anthropometry, often in combination, are used to estimate or to predict SMM and the distinct advantages of anthropometry-based techniques are that they are noninvasive and inexpensive and can be applied in a wide range of clinical and research settings [8]
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