Li Shan, Huang Huanhuan, Shi Haoning, Chen Zhiyu, Jiang Siqi, Yu Xinyu, Ren Keke, Huang Qi, Zhao Qinghua
Department of Nursing, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Innov Aging. 2025 Jun 20;9(7):igaf065. doi: 10.1093/geroni/igaf065. eCollection 2025 Jul.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The complex interplay between diet, gut microbiota, and metabolic health has gained increasing recognition as a key factor in the development of obesity and related conditions, such as sarcopenia. This study examines the relationship between the dietary index for gut microbiota (DI-GM) and sarcopenia, while exploring the potential mediating role of the body roundness index (BRI) in this association. By integrating these factors, our findings aim to shed light on the diet-gut microbiota-sarcopenia interaction and its implications for personalized dietary interventions. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Data were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2018. Multivariable weighted regression analyses were conducted to assess the association between DI-GM and sarcopenia. Restricted cubic spline analyses were used to evaluate potential non-linear relationships. Additionally, mediation analysis was performed to determine whether the BRI mediated the relationship between DI-GM and sarcopenia. RESULTS: A total of 10,190 participants were included in the study, of whom 7.57% were diagnosed with sarcopenia. In the weighted linear regression analysis, each one-point increase in DI-GM was associated with a 12% reduction in the prevalence of sarcopenia (OR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.82, 0.95). Specifically, a higher beneficial gut microbiota score was significantly associated with a lower prevalence of sarcopenia (OR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.75, 0.89). Mediation analysis revealed that BRI accounted for 23% of the total effect of DI-GM on sarcopenia. Among the beneficial components, those with a significant mediation effect contributed approximately 9% of the total effect. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: The DI-GM was found to be negatively associated with the prevalence of sarcopenia, with BRI playing a crucial mediating role. These findings highlight the importance of the diet-gut microbiota-sarcopenia interaction and underscore the potential for incorporating dietary and microbiota-targeted interventions in personalized therapeutic strategies for sarcopenia.
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