Sarcopenia – the need for an Asian perspective

Abstract

Sarcopenia research started in Asia about 25 years ago, and is now a rapidly developing field of research. The Asian Working Group in Sarcopenia was formed in 2014 with the publication of the first Consensus definition, followed and an update in 2019, with a most recent update in 2025. Cut off values used in the definition are different from those in Europe or the US, possibly due to a combination of social determinants of body composition and ethnicity. The importance of detection of sarcopenia in community and hospital settings is recognized; however a gap exists between research, public health and clinical practice in terms of case finding and management.