Rising Awareness of Sarcopenia to Bring New Growth Trends into Sarcopenia Treatment Market
The growing awareness of sarcopenia and its negative impact on health presents a significant scope for advancements in the fields of healthcare and geriatric care. Many advocacy groups and organizations are proactively taking steps to raise the awareness of sarcopenia among the masses. These organizations often work with medical professionals to keep the public updated on the various aspects of pathogenicity, target patients, prevention, and treatments, among other aspects, along with underlining the value of prompt diagnosis and treatment. The Office on Women’s Health (OWH) of the US Department of Health and Human Services launched the national campaign “Stronger than Sarcopenia” in 2023 to magnify the awareness of sarcopenia in women. Research by Health and Human Services shows that more than 45% of the elderly population in the US suffers from sarcopenia, and millions of younger individuals are at risk of developing this condition later in their lives. In line with OWH’s “Stronger than Sarcopenia” campaign, women are urged to discuss sarcopenia with their healthcare providers, followed by undergoing screen for the illness and taking appropriate therapy if required.
Sarcopenia has been included in the curricula of medical schools and training programs for healthcare professionals such as physicians, nurses, and physical therapists. For example, the OWH worked with Medscape Education to create continuing medical education (CME) credits for healthcare professionals, which will better equip them to detect and treat sarcopenia in their patients. Mainstream media has expanded its coverage of sarcopenia to include articles, news stories, and documentaries. According to a February 2022 PubMed article, the US Department of Health and Human Services is one of the top funding agencies in the US, sponsoring 1,604 studies on sarcopenia. From 2022, July 4 is observed as the World Sarcopenia Day. Thus, the elevating awareness regarding sarcopenia is likely to bring new growth trends into the sarcopenia treatment market in the coming years.
Sarcopenia Treatment Market: Regional Overview
Based on geography, the sarcopenia treatment market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South & Central America, and the Middle East & Africa. In 2022, North America occupied the largest share of the market. Asia Pacific is expected to register the highest CAGR during 2022–2030. Asia is the world’s most populated continent with a rapidly aging population, and sarcopenia-related issues are becoming more prevalent in several Asian countries. Asians lead extremely different lifestyles and follow different dietary habits than people from the Western world. In Asia, sarcopenia in older individuals is more common in males (prevalence 9.6–22.1%) than females (prevalence 7.7–21.8%). Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) aims to promote sarcopenia research in this continent.
The most recent data from the Seventh National Population Census, released in May 2021, shows that 13.50% (190.63 million) of the total population in China was aged 65 or more, reporting an upsurge of 4.63% compared to the percentage recorded in the Sixth National Population Census (2010). Compared to individuals of the same age (irrespective of their skin color), older Chinese persons showed lower muscle mass, weaker grip strength, and slower gait speeds. Older Chinese communities mention underweight, aging, cigarette smoking, atherosclerosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and physical inactivity as the important risk factors for sarcopenia. As per the International Osteoporosis Foundation, on average, 70 million Chinese people above 50 years of age are diagnosed with osteoporosis annually, and sarcopenia is the main cause of osteoporosis. Furthermore, the estimated prevalence of osteoporosis in Mainland China is expected to be nearly 7% in adults, i.e., 50.1% among women over 50 years of age and 22.5% among men over 50 years of age. Vitamin and protein supplements are essential for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. They help strengthen bones by activating the osteocalcin, subsequently facilitating the adsorption of calcium to the bones. Thus, the demand for sarcopenia treatment is spurring in China owing to the upsurge in the incidence of orthopedic conditions and a rise in the geriatric population.
Based on treatment type, the sarcopenia treatment market is segmented into vitamin D and calcium supplements, protein supplements, vitamin B12 supplements, and others. The vitamin D and calcium supplements segment held the largest share of the market in 2022. The same segment is anticipated to record the highest CAGR of 6.5% during 2022–2030.
Sarcopenia Treatment Market: Competitive Landscape and Key Developments
Abbott Laboratories, Bayer AG, Metagenics LLC, Nestle Health Science SA, Novartis AG, Pfizer Inc., Sanofi SA, Amway Corp, GSK Plc, and Makers Nutrition LLC are among the leading companies operating in the sarcopenia treatment market. These players strive to expand and diversify their market presence, and acquire a novel customer base, thereby utilizing attractive business opportunities prevailing in the sarcopenia treatment market.
In September 2023, Nestle Health Science SA acquired The Better Health Company. The acquisition includes GO Healthy, a leading supplement brand in New Zealand, and New Zealand Health Manufacturing, an Auckland-based manufacturing facility for vitamins, minerals, and supplements. This will expand the company’s portfolio of vitamins, minerals, and supplements in Asia, Oceania, and Africa (AOA).