1995 Volume 45 Issue 2 Pages 196-214
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between oral health and nutrition. A survey of food intake frequency, dietary habits, life style and oral health conditions were conducted on 282 women aged from 20 to 91 years, living in Siroyama (a suburb of Tokyo). The oral investigations included evaluation of the periodontium, caries, and prostheses. The periodontium was identified according to Russell and caries according to WHO. The questionnaires were a survey of the frequency of various kinds of foods (rice, breads, noodles, nuts, potatoes, sugars, sweets, fats and oils, beans, fruits, green and yellow vegetables, other vegetables, mushrooms, seaweed, seafood, meat, eggs, milk, and prepared foods), dietary habits, life style (hieght, weight, sleep, sports, smorking, alcohol, breakfast, snacks) and chewing ability according to Yamamoto's classification. Body measurements were evaluated with the Body Mass Index (kg/m^2). Results were as follows, 1. The number of missing teeth and periodontal Index (PI) were closely correlated with age. 2. Subjects of 20 to 39 years of age tended to skip breakfast and to eat fats, meat, and prepared foods more often. The intake of rice in subjects of 70 years and above was higher than in the other age groups. 3. Subjects were divied into 2 groups according to chewing ability as rated by Yamamoto's classification questionnaire: score 1-5 as "unsatisfactory", and score 6-7 as "satisfactory". In subjects of 50 years and above, the satisfactory group had fewer missing teeth than the unsatisfactory group with statistically significant differrence. Chewing ability was highly correlated to the number of missing teeth in the groups of 50-59, 60-69 and 70 years and above. A proper weight was estimated from the Body Mass Index (kg/m^2) : a BMI of 20-25 was regarded as "appropriate weight" and BMI<20 or BMI>25 as "inappropriate weight". In the groups aged 50-59 and 60-69 years both the number of missing teeth and the Periodontal Index were lower in the group with appropriate weight than in the groups with inappopriate weight. 4. In a factor analysis, age was correlated with oral health conditions and frequency of intake of fats, green and yellow vegetables, meats. 5. In a multiple regression analysis, chewing ability and frequency of intake of rice, fats, and green and yellow vegetables was significantly associated with the number of missing teeth. Thus, oral health can be maintained and promoted by a suitable life style and desirable food intake and dietary habits.
