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Dietary Problems Are Associated with Frailty Status in Older People with Fewer Teeth in Japan
Takashi Miyano1,2, Ryosuke Kaneko3, Toshihide Kimura4
1Graduate School of Systems Life Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|December 11, 2022
Summary
In older adults with fewer than 20 teeth, poor appetite and lack of enjoyment in eating are linked to frailty. Addressing dietary issues is crucial for this vulnerable population, especially those with tooth loss.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Nutrition Science
- Oral Health
Background:
- Frailty is a significant concern in aging populations, impacting health outcomes.
- Tooth loss is common in older adults and may influence nutritional intake and overall health.
- Dietary problems can contribute to malnutrition and frailty in the elderly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between dietary problems and frailty in older Japanese individuals.
- To investigate whether tooth loss modifies the relationship between dietary issues and frailty.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 160 older Japanese adults (mean age 82.6 years).
- Frailty assessed using the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures (SOF) criteria (weight loss, chair stands, energy level).
- Multivariate logistic regression analyses stratified by tooth count (<20 teeth vs. ≥20 teeth).
Main Results:
- Low appetite and lack of enjoyment in eating were associated with frailty in participants with fewer than 20 teeth.
- Dietary problems (low appetite, eating alone, negative attitudes) linked to reduced energy levels in those with <20 teeth.
- No significant association between dietary problems and frailty was found in participants with 20 or more teeth.
Conclusions:
- Dietary problems are associated with frailty in older adults with significant tooth loss.
- Interventions targeting dietary issues may be beneficial for frail older individuals with fewer teeth.
- Oral health status, specifically tooth count, is an important factor to consider when assessing frailty risk in the elderly.
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