Health Literacy-Based Multifactorial Program for Adults With Sarcopenia

Sarcopenia is a common age-related condition characterized by the progressive loss of muscle mass and function, which may lead to reduced physical performance, disability, and poorer quality of life. Exercise and nutritional management are considered the primary interventions for preventing and managing sarcopenia; however, successful implementation requires long-term lifestyle modifications. Previous studies have indicated that health literacy among the general population in Taiwan remains insufficient, potentially limiting individuals' ability to adopt and maintain healthy behaviors. Therefore, interventions that improve health literacy may help promote healthy aging and sarcopenia prevention. The purpose of this study is to develop a sarcopenia-specific health literacy questionnaire and to evaluate the effectiveness of a health literacy-based multifactorial intervention among community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults. A total of 100 participants will be enrolled and assigned to either an intervention group (n=50) or a control group (n=50). The intervention group will participate in six 60-minute sessions consisting of health education and exercise training. Health literacy and other self-reported outcomes will be assessed before and after the intervention, with follow-up assessments conducted three months later. The study aims to determine whether the intervention can improve participants' health literacy and support the adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviors related to sarcopenia prevention and management.