Association of Nutritional Status and Possible Sarcopenia Among Formerly Older Homeless Adults in Supportive Housing, Thailand.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Possible sarcopenia and malnutrition are critical public health concerns among older adults, particularly in vulnerable populations such as those with a history of homelessness. However, limited evidence exists on the nutritional status and muscle health of this group in Thailand.

METHODS

This study aimed to assess the nutritional status of formerly homeless older adults residing in supportive housing in Thailand and examine its association with possible sarcopenia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 116 participants aged 50 years and older. Sociodemographic information was collected using a structured questionnaire. Nutritional status was then assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment short form (MNA-SF) and body mass index (BMI). Possible sarcopenia was determined based on the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 criteria, including low calf circumference, reduced handgrip strength, and/or low gait speed. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of all participants, 66.4% were male, with a mean age of 59.14 years (SD = 7.791). A total of 78.4% were identified as having possible sarcopenia. Univariate analysis revealed significant associations between possible sarcopenia and malnutrition (OR = 6.111, 95% CI = 2.104-17.750), low BMI (OR = 16.784, 95% CI = 3.729-75.535), and waist circumference (OR = 0.129, 95% CI = 0.049-0.342). Multivariate logistic regression indicated that malnutrition (OR = 3.429, 95% CI = 1.093-10.763) and low BMI (OR = 11.732, 95% CI = 2.523-54.567) were significant predictors of possible sarcopenia, collectively explaining 33.8% of the variance.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings underscore a high prevalence of possible sarcopenia among formerly homeless older adults in supportive housing in Thailand and highlight poor nutritional status, particularly low BMI and malnutrition, as a key contributing factor. These results emphasize the importance of early nutritional screening and interventions to prevent or delay sarcopenia in this vulnerable population.