Relationship of Self-assessed Masticatory Ability to Nutritional Status and Physical Performance in Community-Dwelling Elderly Persons

Abstract

[Objectives] A decline in ADL impairs elderly persons'independence. ADL is related to nutritional status and physical performance and these may be influenced by masticatory ability. Self-assessed masticatoryability is considered to be well suited for epidemiological surveys. The purpose of the present study is toinvestigate the relationship of self-assessed masticatory ability to nutritional status and physical performance in community-dwelling elderly persons.
[Materials and Methods] The total number of participants was 315, aged 65-84. Background factors, eating behavior, BMI, serum albumin concentration, handgrip strength, one-leg standing time with eyes open, andoral conditions (Eichner index, condition of denture, self-assessed masticatory ability) were examined. Self-assessed masticatory ability was assessed by means of the following question: “Can you chew all kinds of food?” The answers were classified according to three alternatives, i.e. “Yes, all food” (Good), “Yes, somewhat hard food” (Fair) and “Only soft food” (Poor).
[Results] In males aged 65-74, mean values for BMI and serum albumin concentration were significantlylower in participants with Poor self-assessed masticatory ability than those of the Good or Fair groups. In females aged 65-74, mean values for handgrip strength were significantly lower in participants with Fairself-assessed masticatory ability than those of Good. In the participants aged 75-84, only BMI of femalesshowed a significant association with self-assessed masticatory ability. Living alone, loss of occlusal contactsof natural teeth and poor condition of denture were significantly related to impairment of self-assessed masticatory ability.
[Conclusions] In elderly persons aged 65-74, self-assessed masticatory ability is asignificant factor that isrelated to nutritional status and physical performance.