The purpose of this study was to determine cut-off point of appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) adjusted body mass index (BMI) for sarcopenia in the Korean women and evaluate the prevalence of sarcopenia in postmenopausal women.

This study was based on the data obtained from 2008 to 2011 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) IV and V. A whole body dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan and measurement of BMI were performed on individuals of ≥10 years old. Five thousand, two hundred and fifteen women older than 50 years were included in the study. ASM was obtained by adding the muscle masses of the four limbs. To determine the young reference group, mean and standard deviation of ASM and ASM/BMI by ages was measured. We calculated the prevalence rate of sarcopenia by each age group according to the cut-off point based on ASM and ASM/BMI.

In determining the cut-off values related ASM/BMI, using the value that is two standard deviations below mean values for young reference group (20's and 30's) thus recommends 0.50 m² in women. The overall prevalence among women older than 50 years was 15.6%. Among women older than 65 years prevalence of sarcopenia was 22.9%.

The prevalence of sarcopenia among Korean women obtained in this study is within the proper range of value to research about sarcopenia. Furthermore, using 0.50 m² as the cut-off value can help compare various studies about sarcopenia in Korea.