Effect of Protein Quality and Quantity on Body Composition of Sedentary Adult Women

Advancing adult age is associated with profound changes in body composition, the principal component of which is decrease in skeletal muscle mass. This age related loss in skeletal muscle mass has been referred to as Sarcopenia. Cross sectional studies on muscle strength indicated that isometric and concentric strength levels peak between 2 nd and 3 rd decade of life, remain unchanged until the 4 th and 5 th decade and start to decline from about 5 th decade at a rate of 12 to15 per cent per decade. However, concentric strength levels in women tend to peak sooner, start to decline earlier and decrease at a slightly slower rate than men. Age and inactivity induced sarcopenia explain losses in strength with age. Sarcopenia is not the result of a disease and it is seen in all aged adults. Sarcopenia markedly increases the risk of disability and loss of functional capacity in the elderly. As populations in developed countries continue to age, diagnosing, treating, and preventing sarcopenia will be progressively more important to the health and well-being of modern societies.