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Original Article
- Associations Between Poor Appetite, Sarcopenia, and Cognitive Function in Community-dwelling Malaysian Older Adults
- Sook Yee Lim, Yoke Mun Chan, Maw Pin Tan, Shahrul Bahyah Kamaruzzaman, Rahimah Ibrahim
- J Prev Med Public Health. 2025;58(6):589-598. Published online November 6, 2025
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.25.196
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Abstract
Summary
PDF - Objectives
This study aimed to explore the associations between poor appetite, sarcopenia, and cognitive function among Malaysian older adults.
Methods
This nationwide study involved 1086 community-dwelling older adults aged 55 years and above. Poor appetite was defined using a self-reported question, while cognitive function was assessed with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Sarcopenia was identified based on handgrip strength, 6-meter gait speed, and muscle mass, in accordance with the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 criteria. Associations between poor appetite, sarcopenia, and cognitive function were analyzed using both univariate and multivariate analyses.
Results
Multivariate analysis revealed that handgrip strength (β=0.067, p=0.012) and gait speed (β=1.080, p=0.017) were significantly associated with cognitive function after adjusting for confounders such as age, ethnicity, marital status, education, and alcohol and smoking consumption. However, no significant association was observed between poor appetite and cognitive function, nor was any moderation effect found between poor appetite and sarcopenia-related traits on cognitive function.
Conclusions
Our study confirms that low muscle strength and reduced physical performance are significantly associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment among community-dwelling older adults. These findings underscore the critical importance of muscle strength and physical performance in preserving cognitive function—a decline that is not inevitable with age. Routine screening and early detection of muscle health and cognitive function are essential, and should be followed by intervention strategies targeting muscle health to mitigate cognitive decline in aging populations. -
SummaryKey Message
Lower muscle strength and slower gait speed were independently associated with poorer cognitive function in Malaysian older adults, while poor appetite showed no direct or moderating effect on cognition. These findings underscore the importance of routine screening and early interventions targeting muscle health to help prevent cognitive decline in aging populations.
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