Chewing activity and activities of daily living in the elderly

The present study was conducted in order to determine the statistical relationship between chewing activity and activities of daily living (ADL) in the elderly. Subjects which took part were 79 elderly individuals (37 males, 42 females) ranging in age from 65 to 74 years. Based on questionnaires regarding diet, a mastication score was determined to evaluate chewing activity in each subject. This score was scaled from 0 to 100%. ADL levels were determined using two indices: the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Japan and the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology (TMIG) index. The TMIG index is a multidimensional 13-item index of competence in which scores range from 0 to 13 points. According to the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the independence level of each subject was evaluated as independent, home-bound, or bedridden. These independence levels showed a significant correlation with the mastication score (P < 0.01). The mastication score also significantly correlated with the TMIG index, showing a Spearman coefficient of correlation of 0.63 in males (P < 0.01) and 0.71 in females (P < 0.01). These results suggest that chewing activity is related to ADL levels in elderly subjects.