Association between Tooth Loss and Body Mass Index Among Older Adults in Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan

Abstract

Loss of teeth can affect masticatory efficiency in older adults. This may result in avoidance or modifications in food choices and lead to lower intake of important nutrients among older individuals. The aim of this study was to determine the association between tooth loss and body mass index, BMI, among older adults in Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan. A cross-sectional study was carried out on 428 older adults aged 50 years and above from selected villages in district of Kuala Pilah. Respondents were interviewed to collect information on their demographic characteristics. Number of tooth loss was determined through oral assessment, followed by anthropometric assessment to calculate the BMI of respondents. Findings showed that majority of the respondents were overweight and obese, 40.4% and 19.9% respectively, while only a small proportion was underweight, 3.9%. The proportion of edentulism (total tooth loss) was 18.3% and majority of the older adults had lost more than 12 teeth (77.1%) and less than 4 pairs of occluding posterior teeth (86.0%). Total and partial tooth loss was found to be not significantly associated with BMI. In relation to the arrangement of teeth, older adults with reduced number of posterior occluding pairs of teeth were more likely to experience unsatisfactory BMI (OR = 3.61, 95% CI: 1.48, 8.76). This may suggest that functional arrangement of the tooth in the oral cavity is more important than the number of tooth loss alone. Thus, maintaining an optimum number of teeth for chewing is essential for maintenance of ideal BMI.

Association between oral health-related quality of life and nutritional status among older adults in district of Kuala Pilah, Malaysia

“…Poor oral health may expose the group at risk to underweight [8] or obese [9]. Reduced number of teeth and posterior occluding teeth among this group also had shown to affect their chewing ability leading to altered food choices and compromised nutritional status [10]. In addition to the clinical indicators, the impact of poor oral health on dimensions of quality of life also has been more pronounced among older people.…”

Pérdida de piezas dentarias y su influencia con el Índice de Masa Corporal en adultos mayores

“…(33) Otros investigadores no llegaron a observar una asociación significativa entre el número de dientes perdidos y el IMC. (37) La enfermedad bucal es común en los adultos mayores e implica la pérdida de dientes, se conoce que la cavidad oral es la primera parte del tracto digestivo, responsable de morder la comida, masticar, agregar saliva para la formación del bolo y transportarla al estómago. Los déficits en cualquiera de estas etapas pueden afectar la alimentación y la relación que existe con la cantidad de dientes presentes, sin embargo, muchas veces la variación cultural o metodológica puede explicar estas discrepancias.…”

Association of Oral and General Health with Nutritional Status of Older Adults Attending Two Medical Centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Poor dental health may impact food quality and nutrient intake, potentially increasing the risk of various systemic disorders [ 17 ]. A reduced number of teeth and posterior occluding teeth in this aging group are also demonstrated to impact chewing capacity, resulting in changed meal choices and reduced nutritional status [ 18 ]. Aside from clinical signs, the influence of quality-of-life dimensions, particularly general health and poor dental health, on nutritional status is significant in older adults.…”