title: Low muscle mass in older men: the role of lifestyle, diet and cardiovascular risk factors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore associations between low muscle mass and a wide range of lifestyle, dietary and cardiovascular risk factors in older men including metabolic risk factors, markers of inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and coagulation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  British Regional Heart Study.
  
  
  METHODS
  4252 men aged 60-79 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  PARTICIPANTS attended a physical examination in 1998-2000, and completed a general questionnaire and a food frequency questionnaire. Low muscle mass was assessed by two measures: midarm muscle circumference (MAMC) and fat-free mass index (FFMI). Associations between risk factors and low muscle mass were analysed using logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Physical inactivity, insulin resistance, C-reactive protein, von Willebrand factor and fibrinogen were associated with significantly increased odds of low MAMC and FFMI after adjustment for body mass index, lifestyle characteristics and morbidity. Those with higher percent energy intake from carbohydrates showed decreased odds of low MAMC (OR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.55-0.96) and FFMI (OR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.58-0.99). Other dietary variables, smoking, alcohol intake, D-dimer, interleukin 6 and homocysteine showed no important associations with MAMC and FFMI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increasing physical activity, consuming a diet with a high proportion of energy from carbohydrates, and taking steps to prevent insulin resistance and reduce inflammation and endothelial dysfunction may help to reduce the risk of low muscle mass in older men.
authors.affiliation: J.L. Atkins, Department of Primary Care and Population Health, UCL Medical School, Royal Free Campus, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, UK. Telephone: 020 7794 0500 Ext 34389. Fax: 0207 794 1224. E-mail: janice.atkins.11@ucl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Atkins
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Whincup
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Wannamethee
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D001823:Body Composition; D001825:Body Fluid Compartments / Q000378:metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D004034:Diet Surveys; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009132:Muscles; D012307:Risk Factors; D055948:Sarcopenia / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D002097:C-Reactive Protein