# The Built Environment and Sarcopenia in Patients with Advanced Lung Disease

> **NIH NIH U01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · 2024 · $170,579

## Abstract

Project Grant Abstract
Sarcopenia, a debilitating condition characterized by the loss of skeletal muscle mass and function, is prevalent
among patients with advanced lung disease associated with poor clinical outcomes, including lower exercise
capacity, reduced health-related quality of life, and increased morbidity and mortality. The development of
sarcopenia is multifactorial, with age, systemic inflammation, chronic hypoxia, and physical inactivity playing
significant roles, particularly among lung disease patients. These risk factors, however, do not operate in
isolation, but within the broader socio-environmental context. This research proposal is anchored in the central
hypothesis that the built environment, including human-made or modified infrastructure, plays a significant role
in the development of sarcopenia among patients with advanced lung disease. The proposed aims of this study
are threefold. Aim 1 is to investigate whether the built environment is associated with sarcopenia in patients with
advanced lung disease. Aim 2 is to identify the barriers these patients face regarding access to nutritional support
and exercise spaces. Aim 3 proposes examining digital access as a promising strategy for delivering food and
exercise programs to this patient group. By combining these aims, this innovative, mix-methods study seeks to
expand our understanding of sarcopenia risk factors and identify potential interventions. Furthermore, this study
will provide valuable preliminary data for future large-scale studies, such as an R01 proposal, which may further
unravel the potential of digital strategies in managing sarcopenia in advanced lung disease patients. It also
contributes to the long-term goal of reducing health disparities in advanced lung disease by employing digital
strategies for nutritional and exercise support.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10936718
- **Project number:** 3U01HL163242-02S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- **Principal Investigator:** Jonathan Paul Singer
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $170,579
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2024-02-15 → 2027-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10936718

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10936718, The Built Environment and Sarcopenia in Patients with Advanced Lung Disease (3U01HL163242-02S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10936718. Licensed CC0.

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