Healthy aging is understood as the process of developing and maintaining functional capacity that allows well-being in old age, and has been named one of the main challenges for current societies (WHO, 2021). Sarcopenia is defined as “a skeletal muscle disease characterized by the progressive loss of muscle mass and strength” (Sánchez Tocino et al., 2023). It is considered a complex geriatric syndrome that accelerates over the years, producing muscle mass loss of up to 2% and 3% annually after age 50 and 65, respectively (Barajas-Galindo et al., 2021). It should be noted that its impact is not limited to the deterioration of muscle mass and its function, as it also increases the risk of falls, fractures, loss of independence, cognitive impairment, hospitalizations, mortality and health costs (Arosio, 2023).
Older adults with sarcopenia have a higher risk of developing cognitive impairment compared to those without (Arosio, 2023). Addressing sarcopenia not only means preserving mobility and independence, but also protecting health and in that sense improving quality of life in old age. Despite its repercussions, the diagnosis of sarcopenia remains rare. The absence of protocols, the lack of training of health personnel and the perception that loss of strength is “normal” with age are factors that contribute to incorrect diagnosis. These factors limit early and timely interventions, which could prevent or slow its progression.
One of the most effective strategies to prevent sarcopenia is the practice of physical activity, specifically, strength and resistance training programs; These have shown significant improvements in the increase and preservation of muscle mass and its functionality (Martínez-Amat et al., 2018). Likewise, it has been proven that performing strength exercises at least twice a week is essential to obtain sustained benefits and there appears to be a dose-effect relationship, that is, the higher the level of physical activity there is a greater gain in muscle mass (Barajas-Galindo et al., 2021). In that sense, it is also important to highlight that practicing physical activity throughout life is key to building muscle, maintaining strength, mobility and independence throughout the years and preserving muscle when old age arrives.
Diet also plays a fundamental role as a complement to physical activity in the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia, since adequate and sufficient energy and protein intake is essential to sustain muscle protein synthesis. In older adults, the presence of anorexia of aging (lack of appetite), malnutrition and dehydration favors mass loss (Calvani et al., 2023). Evidence suggests that a high-quality diet combined with resistance exercise exerts a synergistic effect that contributes to preserving muscle mass and improving functionality at advanced ages (Calvani et al., 2023).
Lack of physical activity and a low-quality diet are not the only problems that contribute to the development of sarcopenia. Mexican old age faces diseases that affect the development of muscle mass, favoring muscle depletion, among them we can highlight Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Chronic Kidney Disease. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is a metabolic disease that is characterized by high serum glucose levels and this metabolic disorder induces a response in which the body initiates a proteolysis process, that is, a process in which the body uses skeletal muscle to generate energy (Chen et al., 2023). In Mexico, according to ENSANUT 2021-2024, 36.1% of the population over 60 years of age lives with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (Reyes-García et al., 2025).
In a very similar way, it happens with Chronic Kidney Disease, a disease in which kidney function deteriorates. This disease also induces changes at the metabolic level that favor the degradation of muscle mass (Gracia et al., 2022). Both pathologies contribute greatly to the development of sarcopenia and deterioration in quality of life. From these points arises the importance of monitoring not only chronic degenerative diseases, such as diabetes, but also of including tools within health care that allow early detection and treatment of muscle mass depletion.
Sarcopenia should be understood not as a normal and typical consequence of aging, but as a preventable, treatable condition that is strictly linked to the health and quality of life of the elderly. Therefore, it is essential that adults adopt individual prevention strategies, such as regular physical activity, adequate nutrition, and following healthy habits, in order to promote active aging.
References
- Arosio, B., Calvani, R., Ferri, E., Coelho-Junior, H. J., Carandina, A., Campanelli, F., Ghiglieri, V., Marzetti, E., & Picca, A. (2023). Sarcopenia and cognitive decline in older adults: Addressing the muscle–brain axis. Nutrients, 15(8), 1853.
- Barajas-Galindo, DE, González Arnáiz, E., Ferrero Vicente, P., & Ballesteros-Pomar, MD (2021). Effects of physical exercise in the elderly with sarcopenia. A systematic review.Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, 68(3), 159–169.
- Calvani, R., Picca, A., Coelho-Júnior, H. J., Tosato, M., Marzetti, E., & Landi, F. (2023). Diet for the prevention and management of sarcopenia. Ageing Research Reviews, 146, 155637. DOI: 1016/j.metabol.2023.155637
- Chen, H., Huang, X., Dong, M., Wen, S., Zhou, L., & Yuan, X. (2023). The Association Between Sarcopenia and Diabetes: From Pathophysiology Mechanism to Therapeutic Strategy. Diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity targets and therapy, 16, 1541–1554.
- Grace Iguacel , C. , Gonzalez-Parra , E. , & Ortiz , A. (2022). Protein-energy wasting in chronic kidney disease. Thematic navigator of nephrological knowledge. Nephrology Editorial Group of the Spanish Society of Nephrology. ISSN 2659-2606.
- Martínez-Amat, A., Aibar-Almazán, A., Fábrega-Cuadros, R., Cruz-Díaz, D., Jiménez-García, JD, Pérez-López, FR, Achalandabaso, A., Barranco-Zafra, R., & Hita-Contreras, F. (2018). Exercise alone or combined with dietary supplements for sarcopenic obesity in community-dwelling older people: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Maturity, 113, 92–104.
- Reyes-García, A., Basto-Abreu, A., Reyes-Sánchez, F., Stern, D., Romero-Martínez, M., Campos-Nonato, I., Rojas-Martínez, R., Aguilar-Salinas, CA, & Barrientos-Gutiérrez, T. (2025). Prevalence of diabetes and glycemic control in Mexico: Ensanut 2021–2024. Public Health of Mexico, 67(6).
- World Health Organization (WHO). (2021).Decade of Healthy Ageing: Baseline report.
- Sánchez Tocino, M. L., Cigarrán, S., Ureña, P., González Casaus, M. L., Mas-Fontao, S., Gracia Iguacel, C., Ortíz, A., & González Parra, E. (2023). Definition and evolution of the concept of sarcopenia. Nephrology.
About the author:
Fernanda Celic Meza Jiménez
Student of the Bachelor’s Degree in Nutritional Sciences at the University of the Americas Puebla and member of the Honors Program, developing thesis project on Sarcopenia and Physical Activity.
Contact: fernanda.mezajz@udlap.mx
Tutor:
Dr. Taisa Sabrina Silva Pereira
Graduate in Nutrition. Master’s and Doctorate in Collective Health. Currently his research focuses on nutritional epidemiology, particularly chronic non-communicable diseases, with numerous publications in high-impact international journals. In addition, he is a member of the National System of Level 1 Researchers.
Contact: taisa.silva@udlap.mx
