Search Results (1,146)

Background/Objectives: Previous cross-sectional studies investigated the associations of low handgrip strength (HS), a primary indicator of probable sarcopenia (PS), with biomarkers related to anemia. However, existing evidence is inconsistent, and data establishing causality remain limited. The present prospective study aimed to evaluate whether serum vitamin B12, folate, homocysteine (Hcy), and ferritin levels are associated with PS risk. Methods: This study analyzed data from 1930 adults aged 45–76 years who had normal muscle quantity at baseline. Serum biomarkers were assessed at baseline and PS defined by low HS was determined at 6-year follow-up. The modified Poisson regression method was employed to calculate multivariable risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Among all participants, PS risk was inversely related to serum vitamin B12 levels (p = 0.06), while it was lowest in the high-normal ranges of serum Hcy (12.1–15 μmol/L) and ferritin (101–200 ng/mL) levels. The RRs (95% CIs) for PS risk were 0.73 (0.60, 0.89) and 0.75 (0.64, 0.87) for high-normal Hcy and ferritin categories, respectively, compared with the lowest category. On examining the associations of elevated Hcy and ferritin levels with PS risk, age was identified as a significant modifier for elevated Hcy levels (>15 μmol/L) (p for interaction < 0.05); a reduced risk was observed in younger participants, whereas an increased risk was noted in older participants. Conclusions: These findings suggest that high-normal ferritin levels may be optimal for alleviating PS risk, irrespective of age, and that elevated Hcy levels could be detrimental for older adults in preventing PS risk. Full article

Recruitment of firefighters is, in part, hindered due to attrition from fire academies. This study explored initial fitness differences between those who graduated (GRAD) or were released (REL) from the academy. During the first week of the academy, recruits (N = 407; GRAD = 354, REL = 53; 26.6 ± 7.2 yrs; 177.6 ± 8.6 cm; 87.9 ± 17.2 kg) completed an assessment battery including: body composition using skinfold calipers to estimate percent body fat (BF) and fat-free mass (FFM); shoulder mobility via Apley’s scratch test (APLEY); aerobic fitness (VO_2peak) and heart rate recovery (HRR_1min) estimated from the five-minute Forestry step test; muscular strength via the sum of right and left handgrip (SHG); and muscular endurance via a paced two-minute push-up test (PU). A t-test identified age differences between GRAD and REL, followed by separate ANCOVAs for each fitness measure, and logistic regression to identify the ability of fitness measures to predict academy outcome. GRAD had a lower age and BF and a higher FFM, VO_2peak, SHG, and PU, but did not differ in APLEY or HRR_1min. The full model predicting release was significant; age, BF, and FFM were significant predictors. These results provide pre-fire academy preparation guidance for optimizing the potential for successful academy completion. Full article

Background/Objectives: Measures of excess body fat are often more informative for predicting health risk than body mass index (BMI) alone. With obesity prevalence increasing among young adults, this study evaluated whether adding dominant handgrip strength improves prediction of body fat percentage (BF%) and BF%-defined obesity in a university population. Methods: Cross-sectional data from 895 students (401 women, 494 men; mean age 19.9 years; fall 2015–spring 2016) in Kentucky, USA were analyzed. BMI was calculated from self-reported height and weight. BF% was estimated using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and dominant handgrip strength was measured with a hydraulic hand grip dynamometer. Sex-specific linear and logistic regression models assessed associations among BMI, grip strength, relative grip strength, and BF%. Results: BMI was a strong predictor of BF% in linear models (R² = 0.74 in women; 0.68 in men). Grip strength alone was not associated with BF% but showed an inverse association when combined with BMI. For BF%-defined obesity, BMI remained the most influential predictor, with grip strength contributing additional predictive value. Among men, age significantly modified these relationships, with marked differences between those aged 18–19 years versus older participants. Conclusions: BMI strongly predicted BF% and BF%-based obesity in this cross-sectional study of a predominantly white young adult population. Incorporating handgrip strength modestly improved classification, particularly among women, suggesting that a functional measure like hand grip strength may enhance obesity screening and health communication in young adults. Full article

Background: Upper limb functional performance depends on the interaction of strength, mobility, and neuromuscular control, while inter-limb asymmetries may increase injury risk. However, comprehensive analyses integrating these factors remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate sex differences and identify functional phenotypes in young adults using a multidimensional assessment approach. Methods: Forty-six healthy young adults (23 women, 23 men) underwent a comprehensive battery of upper limb assessments, including anthropometric measurements, maximal handgrip strength, isometric elbow flexion and extension torque, postural stability via the Fall Risk Index (FRI), and functional reach using the Upper Quarter Y-Balance Test (YBT-UQ). Inter-limb symmetry was calculated using the Limb Symmetry Index (LSI). K-means clustering was applied to standardized variables to identify latent functional phenotypes. Results: Men demonstrated significantly greater body mass, height, limb length, and absolute strength (p < 0.01), while functional performance (YBT-UQ composite scores) and inter-limb symmetry were similar between sexes. Strength asymmetry was most prevalent for elbow flexion and handgrip strength (up to 89%), whereas stability asymmetry was less frequent (≈54%). Three functional clusters were identified: Cluster 1—high strength and moderate stability, Cluster 2—lower anthropometry and strength, Cluster 3—high strength but reduced stability and increased asymmetry. Despite phenotypic differences, composite functional performance was comparable across clusters. Conclusions: Upper limb function reflects the interaction of morphological and neuromuscular factors rather than strength alone. Observed asymmetries should be interpreted within a functional context, as moderate asymmetries may represent normal variation in motor control, while larger asymmetries may indicate potential functional imbalance; however, due to the cross-sectional design of this study, no causal inferences regarding injury risk can be made. Functional phenotyping provides a framework for individualized training, screening, and rehabilitation strategies. Full article

Background: Although swallowing-related muscle function has been implicated in sarcopenia, the association between swallowing-related cervical muscle function and sarcopenia has not been thoroughly examined. The aim of this study was to investigate this association in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 390 community-dwelling adults aged ≥65 years. Sarcopenia was defined as the concurrent presence of low handgrip strength and low appendicular skeletal muscle mass. The force generated during the chin-tuck maneuver (chin-tuck force) was measured using a dynamometer to indicate swallowing-related cervical muscle function. Tongue pressure and oral diadochokinesis were measured as indicators of swallowing-related muscle function. Potential confounders included body mass index, comorbidities, number of medications, functional capacity, timed up-and-go test and trail-making test times. Results: In logistic regression analyses adjusted for age and sex, chin-tuck force was found to have a statistically significant association with sarcopenia; greater force correlated inversely with sarcopenia (odds ratio = 0.59, p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated acceptable discriminative ability of chin-tuck force for identifying sarcopenia (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.82, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.72–0.90), which was significantly higher than that for tongue pressure (AUC = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.50–0.74; p < 0.01). Conclusions: Among swallowing-related muscle functions, reduced chin-tuck force may be associated with sarcopenia in older adults. Future studies should investigate targeted assessments and interventions focused on improving swallowing-related cervical muscle function as a potential strategy for sarcopenia prevention. Full article

Chronic kidney disease is defined as a progressive pathology that affects more than 10% of the world’s population, affecting waste filtration capacity. Sarcopenia, characterized by loss of muscle mass and strength, is a common complication in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis. It is associated with inflammation, malnutrition and reduced quality of life. Hemodialysis is the fundamental treatment for people with chronic kidney disease, as it is key to the elimination of toxins from the body. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of probable sarcopenia in patients with chronic kidney disease in the Dialysis Unit of Extremadura (Spain). Material and Methods: This is a descriptive study in which 33 patients with chronic kidney disease receiving hemodialysis were selected as participants in the assessment of functional capacity and physical fitness. The procedure was performed prior to the dialysis session. Socio-demographic, clinical and physical variables were assessed. The assessment of probable sarcopenia was carried out using manual grip strength test (dynamometry), physical performance (4-meter walk test) and phase angle (PhA) (single frequency 50 Hz bioimpedance). The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was used to determine the severity of chronic disease and its impact, and analytical variables such as albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Index (NLI), Lymphocyte–Platelet Index (LPI) and total protein (TP), among others, were also included. Results: The prevalence of probable sarcopenia was 93.9% according to the criteria for muscle strength and physical performance (EWGSOP2). PhA showed statistically significant differences between the groups with and without sarcopenia (p = 0.039), suggesting its usefulness as a nutritional marker. No statistically significant differences were found between sarcopenia and age, albumin, Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Index or C-reactive protein (p > 0.05). Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of probable sarcopenia, associated with decreased handgrip strength and gait speed in patients with chronic kidney disease in hemodialysis. In addition, PhA stands out as an influential factor in the development of sarcopenia. Full article

Background and Objectives: Childhood obesity is associated with alterations in body composition that may impair muscular strength and functional capacity. While higher body mass is often accompanied by greater absolute strength, the independent effect of adiposity on muscle strength after accounting for lean mass remains insufficiently understood. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between adiposity and muscle strength in children and adolescents, while accounting for growth and maturation, and to examine differences according to weight status. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 84 children and adolescents aged 5–18 years. Anthropometric measurements were used to calculate body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, and waist-to-height ratio, with weight status classified according to CDC BMI-for-age percentiles. Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis (Tanita). Pubertal stage was evaluated using Tanner classification. Muscle strength was assessed using dominant handgrip strength. Associations between adiposity-related parameters and muscle strength were analyzed using correlation and multivariable linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, pubertal stage, physical activity, and body composition. Results: Body mass index was positively correlated with absolute handgrip strength (r = 0.561, p < 0.001). Body fat percentage was negatively associated with relative handgrip strength (r = −0.381, p < 0.001). In multivariable regression analyses, body fat percentage remained an independent negative predictor of handgrip strength (β = −0.203, p = 0.0046), whereas fat-free mass and fat-free mass index were positive predictors in respective models (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Increased adiposity is associated with reduced muscle strength in children and adolescents when strength is evaluated relative to body size or adjusted for lean mass. These findings support the concept of impaired muscle performance in pediatric populations with excess adiposity and highlight the importance of integrating body composition and functional assessments in clinical evaluation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Pediatric malnutrition is associated with loss of muscle mass and impaired physical function. While anthropometric measurements are widely used for diagnosis, functional indicators that reflect early changes in nutritional status are limited in children. Handgrip strength has been proposed as a simple and objective marker of muscle function; however, pediatric data remain scarce. Methods: In this prospective controlled study, 55 children aged 3–17 years diagnosed with malnutrition and 50 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were evaluated. Anthropometric measurements and muscle strength assessments, including handgrip and pinch grip strength, were performed in both groups. Muscle strength values were additionally converted to age- and sex-adjusted standard deviation scores (SDS). In the malnutrition group, measurements were repeated at 2 and 8 weeks following individualized nutritional therapy to assess treatment response. Results: Children with malnutrition had significantly lower body weight, body mass index, mid-upper arm circumference, triceps skinfold thickness, and lean body mass compared with controls (p < 0.05 for all). Both dominant and non-dominant handgrip strength values were also significantly reduced in the malnutrition group. When adjusted for age and sex, handgrip strength SDS values remained significantly lower in children with malnutrition, whereas pinch grip strength SDS values did not differ significantly between groups. During follow-up, nutritional therapy was associated with significant improvements in anthropometric parameters and absolute muscle strength measurements. However, SDS-based analyses demonstrated that these changes were not uniform across all parameters, suggesting that observed improvements may only partly exceed expected physiological growth. Conclusions: Handgrip strength appears to reflect nutritional status in children, and its association with malnutrition persists after adjustment for growth-related factors. These findings support its potential role as a complementary functional marker. However, longitudinal changes in standardized scores indicate that recovery is variable, and interpretation should consider the influence of normal growth and development. Further large-scale, age-standardized studies are needed to better define their role in clinical practice. Full article

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the association between musculoskeletal fitness (MF) and cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents with congenital heart disease (ConHD). Methods: This cross-sectional study included 355 adolescents with ConHD (median age 12.4 years [range: 5.7–21.7]; 43.4% female). Participants completed musculoskeletal fitness (MF) tests, including handgrip strength (HGS), curl-ups, push-ups, and trunk lifts, and underwent an assessment of anthropometric indices, blood pressure, pulse wave velocity (PWV), and carotid intima–media thickness (cIMT). To account for body size, HGS was allometrically scaled to body mass with adjustment for age, sex, and ConHD severity. Clustered MF was derived by calculating z-scores for allometric HGS, curl-ups, push-ups, and trunk lifts. Results: Allometric HGS was inversely associated with anthropometric indices: waist circumference [WC] (β = −4.467, p = 0.014), waist-to-hip ratio [WHR] (β =−0.039, p = 0.005), waist-to-height ratio [WHtR] (β = −0.052, p = 0.001), and BMI (β = −3.115, p = 0.001). Push-ups were inversely related to all anthropometric indices (p < 0.05). Trunk lift showed positive associations with multiple anthropometric indices except WHR (all p < 0.05). Clustered MF was negatively associated with WHR (β = −0.004, p = 0.008) and WHtR (β = −0.006, p = 0.001). HGS (β = 0.18, p = 0.033), push-ups (β = 0.004, p = 0.041), and clustered fitness (β = 0.028, p = 0.006) were inversely associated with PWV. Conclusions: Systematically increasing MF in rehabilitation may provide a feasible strategy to mitigate CVD risk in adolescents with ConHD. Full article

Background/Objectives: Autonomy and the ability to live independently are priority goals for older adults and are closely linked to healthy aging and quality of life (QoL). However, nutrition, although a crucial and modifiable determinant, remains undervalued. Cardiovascular diseases are highly prevalent in middle-aged and older adults and increase the risk of functional impairment, burdening the economy and limiting the patient’s autonomy. This study aimed to analyse the quality of life in older adults and its relationship with functional impairment and nutritional status. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that included 359 patients with a mean age of 71.52 years who were admitted to the National Institute of Gerontology and Geriatrics “Ana Aslan”, between January 2024 and April 2025. Data were collected through interviews, medical records, and standardized instruments, including the Up and Go Test, Tinetti Test, Downton Fall Risk Index, and handgrip strength assessment. Quality of life was assessed using the EQ-5D-5L and the visual analog scale (VAS). Results: Nutritional status assessed using MNA showed significant moderate-to-strong correlations with EQ-5D-5L mobility (r = −0.326, p = 0.007 in the ≥80 years’ group), anxiety/depression (r = −0.544, p < 0.001 in the ≥80 years’ group), self-care (r = −0.271 to −0.311, p < 0.05 in patients over 65), and usual activities (r = −0.294, p = 0.016 in the ≥80 years’ group). In contrast, BMI showed moderate positive correlations with EQ-5D-5L pain/discomfort across all age groups (r = 0.365 to 0.524, p < 0.002). Functional assessment revealed strong negative correlations between EQ-5D-5L mobility and the Tinetti Test (r = −0.583 to −0.728, p < 0.001), with weaker correlations for pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression dimensions. While BMI-EQ-5D-5L pain/discomfort correlations were consistent across age groups, a stronger correlation was observed in the ≥80 years’ group for MNA-EQ-5D-5L anxiety/depression. Conclusions: In this exploratory cross-sectional study, MNA and BMI were associated with different quality of life domains. Lower MNA scores were more frequently associated with anxiety/depression and certain functional domains, particularly in the ≥80 years’ group, whereas higher BMI was more consistently associated with pain/discomfort across age groups. Full article

Background: Early identification of patients at risk for adverse outcomes after cardiac surgery remains a major clinical challenge. While preoperative risk scores are widely used, the prognostic value of early postoperative ICU severity scores and functional performance measures has not been fully clarified. Methods: This prospective observational study included 195 patients undergoing cardiac surgery between 2018 and 2024. Predictive performance of EuroSCORE II, the SOFA score, the APACHE II score, Karnofsky performance status, handgrip strength, and phase angle was assessed for postoperative complications and mortality. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves with 95% confidence intervals were calculated, and pairwise comparisons between ROC curves were performed. Major postoperative complications were analyzed using a composite endpoint including stroke, prolonged intubation, sepsis, and reoperation, excluding systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Results: Major postoperative complications occurred in 46 patients (23.6%). For prediction of major postoperative complications, SOFA demonstrated the highest discrimination (AUC = 0.881, 95% CI 0.819–0.928), followed by APACHE II (AUC = 0.826, 95% CI 0.753–0.888) and EuroSCORE II (AUC = 0.695, 95% CI 0.602–0.785). In-hospital mortality occurred in 19 patients (9.7%). SOFA showed the strongest predictive performance (AUC = 0.915, 95% CI 0.851–0.968), followed by APACHE II (AUC = 0.869, 95% CI 0.781–0.939) and EuroSCORE II (AUC = 0.742, 95% CI 0.595–0.870). During follow-up, 54 patients (27.7%) died. Predictive performance was comparable between SOFA (AUC = 0.710, 95% CI 0.618–0.793), APACHE II (AUC = 0.695, 95% CI 0.606–0.782), and EuroSCORE II (AUC = 0.680, 95% CI 0.599–0.757). Conclusions: Early postoperative ICU severity scores, particularly SOFA and APACHE II, demonstrated strong predictive ability for major postoperative complications and in-hospital mortality following cardiac surgery and outperformed preoperative risk scores. Full article

Windsurfing (WS) and kitesurfing (KS) share the same environment but differ in biomechanics and equipment demands. This cross-sectional study compared physical performance between WS and KS athletes. Twenty-five male recreational athletes participated (WS n = 13, age 27.7 ± 7.0 years; KS n = 12, age 29.0 ± 7.5 years). Body composition, isometric strength (handgrip and back-and-leg dynamometer), dynamic balance (Y-Balance Test: YBT), functional movement quality (FMS), and drop-jump performance (ground contact time, reactive strength index, jump height, take-off time) were assessed. Groups were compared using the Mann–Whitney U test (p < 0.05), and Cliff’s δ was calculated for significant outcomes. Participant characteristics were similar, although surfing experience was greater in WS. KS showed higher leg strength (p = 0.041; δ = 0.481) with no difference in handgrip strength. KS also demonstrated higher FMS shoulder mobility (p = 0.022; δ = 0.532) and total FMS score (p = 0.014; δ = 0.577). No between-group differences were found for YBT metrics or drop-jump variables (p > 0.05). These findings indicate that KS athletes exhibit greater isometric pulling strength and movement proficiency, whereas balance and reactive jump performance are comparable, supporting discipline-specific conditioning priorities. Full article

Background and Objectives: The contribution of body composition to muscle weakness and physical performance in older adults remains incompletely defined. This study aimed to evaluate the discriminative capacity of total and segmental body composition variables to identify muscle weakness and low physical performance in older adults. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 268 community-dwelling older adults (72.2 ± 8.2 years; 81.3% women). Body composition (lean mass, fat mass, and bone mineral content [BMC], total and segmental) was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Muscle weakness was assessed by handgrip strength (≤27 kg in men; ≤16 kg in women), and low physical performance by the Short Physical Performance Battery ≤8. Sex-stratified receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed. Results: No significant differences were found between sexes for age (p = 0.307) or body mass index (p = 0.892). However, men exhibited significantly higher waist circumference (105.2 ± 11.9 vs. 97.8 ± 12.4 cm; p < 0.001) and handgrip strength (30.3 ± 6.8 vs. 18.3 ± 4.6 kg; p < 0.001) than women. Regarding body composition, men presented higher total lean mass (50.4 ± 6.9 vs. 37.2 ± 4.6 kg; p < 0.001) and total bone mineral content (2666 ± 483 vs. 1940 ± 286 g; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Body composition variables showed higher discriminative capacity for muscle weakness than for low physical performance. The ability of lean mass and BMC to identify low physical performance was modest in both sexes, suggesting that structural body composition variables alone may be insufficient to discriminate complex functional impairment in older adults. Full article

Background: The rising prevalence of childhood overweight/obesity (OWOB) and elevated blood pressure (EBP) parallels a global decline in muscular fitness. However, evidence linking whole-body muscular strength to the comorbidity of these cardiometabolic risks remains scarce. Methods: Data were obtained from five nationally representative waves of the Chinese National Survey on Students’ Constitution and Health (CNSSCH, 2000–2019), including 1,072,404 children and adolescents aged 7–18 years. A novel Muscle Strength Index (MSI) was developed by integrating handgrip strength (HGS) and standing broad jump (SBJ), standardized for body weight and height, respectively. Generalized linear mixed-effects models (GLMMs) with restricted cubic splines (RCS) were first applied to characterize dose–response associations. Subsequently, categorical analyses and forest plots were conducted to quantify risks of OWOB, EBP, and their comorbidity across five waves and subgroups. Sex-specific normative reference curves were established using the LMS method, and population-attributable fractions (PAFs) were estimated to assess the potential public health benefits of improving muscular strength. Results: Between 2000 and 2019, the prevalence of OWOB, EBP, and comorbidity increased markedly, reaching 25.80%, 12.23%, and 4.83% in 2019, and are projected to rise further to 37.88%, 20.16%, and 10.01% by 2030. Over the same period, mean MSI increased from 2000, peaked in 2005, and subsequently declined by 2019 with the values for boys and girls, being 1.73, 1.75, 1.63 and 1.46, 1.49, 1.41, respectively. Dose–response analyses revealed consistent L-shaped associations, with the greatest risk reductions observed when moving from low to moderate MSI levels. In 2019, participants with low MSI had higher odds of OWOB (OR 4.81, 95% CI 4.65–4.97), EBP (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.36–1.49), and comorbidity (OR 3.49 95% CI 3.26–3.73) compared with those at middle levels. PAF analyses indicated that improving MSI to at least the 40th percentile could potentially avert 43.5% of OWOB cases, 12.3% of EBP cases, and 48.2% of comorbidity cases. The highest potential benefits were observed in northern and northeastern provinces, particularly Tianjin and Heilongjiang. Conclusions: Chinese children and adolescents face a dual burden of rising cardiometabolic comorbidity and declining muscular strength. Muscular strength demonstrates a strong nonlinear protective association with OWOB, EBP, and their co-occurrence. Targeted improvement among those with low muscular strength may substantially reduce future cardiometabolic burden. Full article

Introduction: Malnutrition and sarcopenia are commonly observed in African patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD); however, limited data exist regarding the nutritional status and body composition of PD patients in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aims to describe the clinical, nutritional, and anthropometric characteristics of PD patients from Sogakope, in the Volta Region of Ghana. Methods: A total of 20 PD patients were recruited. All participants underwent comprehensive clinical and nutritional assessments. Motor symptoms were evaluated with the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). Dealing with non-motor symptoms, constipation was diagnosed according to the Roma III Criteria while dysphagia was assessed using the Swallowing Disturbance Questionnaire. The presence and impact of sialorrhea was determined using the Sialorrhea Clinical Scale. Nutritional assessment was performed with the Mini Nutritional Assessment short form (MNA-sf). Body composition parameters were measured using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA), and muscle strength was evaluated with the Handgrip Strength Test. Correlations were assessed by Pearson or Spearman correlation analysis, as appropriate. Partial correlation analysis controlling for significant clinical variables was also performed. Results: Daily caloric intake was significantly lower compared to Western populations and was associated with a reduced body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage. Constipation (80%) and sarcopenia (45%) were highly prevalent, whereas dysphagia was reported in only 15% of participants. Over 75% of patients were at risk of malnutrition. A significant inverse correlation was found between thigh circumference and disease duration (r = −0.517; p = 0.02). Additionally, protein intake (g/kg/day) was inversely correlated with motor symptom severity, as measured by the UPDRS Part III in the ON state (r = −0.544; p = 0.02). Conclusions: This study demonstrates a high prevalence of nutritional deficiencies, sarcopenia, and altered body composition in Ghanaian PD patients. These nutritional impairments are significantly associated with disease duration and motor symptom severity. The findings highlight the urgent need for early nutritional screening and intervention as part of a multidisciplinary approach to Parkinson’s disease management in resource-limited settings. Full article