Table 1 Frailty-defining criteria and prevalence by sex

1. Weight loss

Self-report of “yes” to the question “In the last year, have you lost more than 10 pounds unintentionally (i.e., not due to dieting or exercise)?” OR

Body Mass Index ≤ 18.5 kg/m²

8.4

As for women

7.8

2. Exhaustion

Self-report of “a moderate amount” or “most of the time” (versus “rarely or none of the time” or “some or a little of the time”) to either of:

i) “I felt that everything I did was an effort”

ii) “I could not get going”

Query was specified “How often in the last week did you feel this way?”

21.4

As for women

14.7

3. Low Energy Expenditure

 < 270 Kcals/week as self-reported using Minnesota Leisure Time Activity scale and estimated using that instrument’s algorithm (18 items)

24.6

 < 383 Kcals/week on Minnesota Leisure Time Activity scale and estimated using that instrument’s algorithm

21.4

4. Slowness

Walking 15 feet (4.57 m)

 time > 7 s for height <  = 159 cm

 time > 6 s for height > 159 cm

18.8

Walking 15 feet (4.57 m)

 time >  = 7 for height <  = 173 cm

 time >  = 6 for height > 173 cm

26.3

5. Weakness

Grip strength

 <  = 16.7 kg for BMI <  = 23 kg/m²

 <  = 17.7 kg for BMI 23.1 – 26 kg/m²

 <  = 17.7 kg for BMI 26.1 – 29 kg/m²

 <  = 18.3 kg for BMI > 29 kg/m²

23.0

Grip strength

 <  = 28.3 kg for BMI <  = 24 kg/m²

 < = 30.0 kg for BMI 24.1—26 kg/m²

 <  = 30.0 kg for BMI 26.1—28 kg/m²

 <  = 31.3 kg for BMI > 28 kg/m²

21.3