ASSESSMENT OF FOOD CONSUMPTION AND RISK OF SARCOPENIA INELDERLY PEOPLE

Abstract

Population aging in Brazil increases the prevalence of sarcopenia, characterized by the progressive loss of muscle mass, strength, and function. Insufficient energy and protein intake are among the main risk factors. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between dietary intake and the risk of sarcopenia in elderly individuals treated at a university outpatient clinic. The method consisted of a cross-sectional study conducted between April and October 2025 with 15 elderly participants (9 women and 6 men). Anthropometric data, handgrip strength, and calf circumference were collected, and the SARC-F and SARC-CalF questionnaires were applied. Dietary intake was assessed through a 24-hour dietary recall. The average energy intake was below recommendations for both sexes (1,715.43 ± 1,067.36 kcal for men and 1,242.97 ± 484.84 kcal for women). Protein intake was adequate only among men (1.05 ± 0.47 g/kg/day), remaining insufficient in women (0.78 ± 0.35 g/kg/day). Women showed higher SARC-F scores (3.83 ± 3.06), indicating a greater perceived functional risk, and an average BMI in the overweight range (31.52 ± 3.10 kg/m²), a factor that may mask muscle mass loss. Men, on the other hand, presented reduced calf circumference in 33.3% of the sample, mean handgrip strength below the cutoff point, and higher SARC-CalF scores (4.75 ± 4.57). It was concluded that there was a risk of sarcopenia in both sexes, but with distinct patterns: functional among women, associated with insufficient protein intake, and structural among men, characterized by lower muscle mass and strength. These findings reinforce the importance of individualized nutritional strategies emphasizing adequate protein and energy intake, as well as public health actions that promote healthy aging