Health-related quality of life in older Koreans: a HINT-8-based cross-sectional analysis of obesity, sarcopenia, and sarcopenic obesity using the 2023 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Obesity, sarcopenia, and sarcopenic obesity are increasingly prevalent in older adults and negatively affect health-related quality of life (HRQOL). While EuroQol-5 Dimension and Short Form-36 Health Survey are widely used HRQOL measures, they have limitations in sensitivity and cultural relevance. In contrast, the Health-related Quality of Life Instrument with 8 Items (HINT-8) is a preference-based instrument developed specifically for the Korean population, offering finer discrimination of physical, emotional, and social health domains. METHODS: This study analyzed data from 1,387 older adults (≥65 years) from the 2023 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Obesity was defined as body mass index ≥25 kg/m 2 , sarcopenia by Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 criteria, and sarcopenic obesity as having both conditions. Multiple linear regression was used to examine their independent effects on HRQOL, adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: Of the participants, 54.2% were classified as normal, 34.9% as obese, 9.8% with sarcopenia, and 1.1% with sarcopenic obesity. All three conditions were significantly associated with greater difficulty in stair climbing: obesity (B=0.223, P<0.001), sarcopenia (B=0.242, P<0.001), and sarcopenic obesity (B=0.338, P=0.048). Sarcopenia was also linked to impaired working ability and higher total HINT-8 scores. Sarcopenic obesity was associated with greater pain. And obesity was linked to slightly lower depression scores. CONCLUSION: Obesity, sarcopenia, and sarcopenic obesity negatively impact HRQOL in older adults. Early detection and intervention are essential to improve quality of life and extend health-adjusted life expectancy.
DOI: 10.4082/kjfm.25.0085
Author: Gee Youn Song
Institution: Soonchunhyang University Hospital Bucheon
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4410529282