Diet quality and sarcopenia in older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review
Calidad de la dieta y sarcopenia en adultos mayores con diabetes mellitus tipo 2: revisión sistemáticaArticle Sidebar
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Introduction: Sarcopenia is a prevalent geriatric syndrome that is exacerbated in the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, a condition that accelerates muscle deterioration through shared metabolic mechanisms. Objective: To analyze the association between diet quality and sarcopenia in older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methodology: A systematic review based on the PRISMA approach was conducted. Seventeen original studies published between 2021 and 2025 were identified from journals indexed in Scopus, Web of Science, SciELO, and PubMed/MEDLINE. Results: Higher diet quality, assessed using indices such as the Healthy Eating Index and adherence to the Mediterranean diet, was consistently associated with lower indicators of sarcopenia and better muscle function. Adequate protein intake is crucial for preserving muscle mass, especially in people with diabetes. Protective dietary patterns were identified, such as those including animal protein and dietary diversity, in contrast to monotonous, cereal-rich diets that increase the risk of sarcopenia. Most studies originated in Asia, with a predominance of cross-sectional designs. Conclusions: Diet quality is significantly associated with sarcopenia in older adults, and this relationship is strengthened in the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, highlighting the need for specific nutritional interventions for this population.
Introducción: la sarcopenia constituye un síndrome geriátrico prevalente que se agrava en presencia de diabetes mellitus tipo 2, condición que acelera el deterioro muscular a través de mecanismos metabólicos compartidos. Objetivo: analizar la asociación entre la calidad de la dieta y la sarcopenia en adultos mayores con diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Metodología: se realizó una revisión sistemática basada en el método PRISMA. Se identificaron 17 estudios originales publicados de 2021 a 2025, provenientes de revistas indexadas en Scopus, Web of Science, SciELO y PubMed/MEDLINE. Resultados: se evidenciaron que una mayor calidad de la dieta, evaluada mediante índices como el Healthy Eating Index y la adherencia a la dieta mediterránea, se asoció de forma consistente con menores indicadores de sarcopenia y mejor función muscular. La ingesta proteica adecuada es determinante en la preservación de la masa muscular, sobre todo en población con diabetes. Se identificaron patrones dietéticos protectores, como los que contemplan proteínas de origen animal y diversidad alimentaria, frente a dietas monótonas ricas en cereales que incrementan el riesgo de sarcopenia. La mayor parte de los estudios provinieron de Asia, con predominio de diseños transversales. Conclusiones: la calidad de la dieta se asocia de forma significativa con la sarcopenia en adultos mayores, y esta relación se potencia en presencia de diabetes mellitus tipo 2, lo que destaca la necesidad de intervenciones nutricionales específicas para esta población.
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