Anthropometric and Body Circumference Determinants for Hand Grip Strength: A Population-Based Mon-Timeline Study

Abstract

Background. Hand grip strength (HGS) is a tool for diagnosing sarcopenia. In this study, we examined some anthropometric and body circumference measurements as determinants for HGS. Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted with participants (Mongolians, n = 1080, aged 18–70, mean age of 41.2 ± 13.9 years, 33.7% of men) from the “Mon-Timeline” cohort study. To measure HGS, a digital grip strength dynamometer was used. Results. Mean HGS in men was 40.1 ± 10.4 kg and in women was 24.5 ± 5.6 kg. Correlation analysis showed that the strongest correlation with HGS was height (r = 0.712, $p<0.001$ ). Moreover, HGS was inversely correlated with age (r = −0.239, $p<0.001$ ) and thigh circumference (r = −0.070, $p<0.01$ ), while it was positively correlated with body weight (r = 0.309, $p<0.001$ ), neck circumference (r = 0.427, $p<0.001$ ), upper arm circumference (r = 0.108, $p<0.0001$ ), lower arm circumference (r = 0.413, $p<0.0001$ ), and calf circumference (r = 0.117, $p<0.0001$ ). In the multivariate linear regression analysis (unstandardized B coefficient, 95% CI), age (−0.159, −0.188; −0.129), sex (−9.262, −10.459; −8.064), height (0.417, 0.357; 0.478), lower arm circumference (1.003, 0.736; 1.270), and calf circumference (−0.162, −0.309; −0.015) were significantly associated with HGS. Conclusions. When detecting sarcopenia using HGS, it is important to take into account variables such as body height and body circumference.