Abstract Objectives This study examined the mediating effects of physical activity (PA) and basal metabolic rate (BMR) on the relationship between years since menopause and sarcopenia in community-dwelling elderly women. Methods Based on AWGS 2019 criteria, 718 women aged ≥65 were classified into sarcopenia, possible sarcopenia, and control groups. Multiple logistic regression and mediator models were used to assess associations. Results BMR correlated with grip strength (r=0.292), ASMI (r=0.750), and years since menopause (r=−0.246). Years since menopause negatively correlated with grip strength and SPPB (r=−0.315, −0.381; p<0.05). It was a risk factor for possible sarcopenia (OR=1.05; 95 % CI: 1.03–1.08). Low BMR and medium PA (vs. high) increased sarcopenia risk (OR=0.95 and 2.72, respectively). Direct effect of years since menopause was β=−0.010 (p=0.001); total mediating effect was 0.019 (p<0.001), mainly through BMR (0.007) and PA (0.001). Conclusions PA and BMR mediate the effect of years since menopause on sarcopenia risk. Longer duration since menopause decreases PA and BMR, elevating sarcopenia risk.
Dong et al. (Thu,) studied this question.