Abstract
Masticatory function is important for taking adequate nutrition. Evidence based on world wide observational studies shows that inadequate masticatory function reduce food intake mainly in vegetables and fruits and nutrition intake mainly in vitamins.
The masticatory function gradually became recognized in health policy and was adopted as a target value of Healthy Japan 21 (2nd edition). National Health and Nutrition Survey shows that the rate of person having good masticatory function is increasing. However estimated population having bad masticatory function is not decreasing because of increase of elderly population.
Mastication has similar characteristics in neural control to walking because they are semi-automatic movement. However mastication has higher rate of structural disorders resulted from tooth loss by dental caries and periodontal disease than walking before elderly life stage. Therefore viewpoint of life course epidemiology is necessary to attain healthy masticatory function. Standard program of "specified health checkups and specified health guidance" does not include oralhealth-related program. However, there are good practices which oral health related program in "specified health checkups and specified health guidance" produced good results. And its future diffusion is greatly anticipated.
