Relationship among dental status and dietary intake in elderly in Israel – Results from the National Health and Nutrition Survey of the Elderly 2005-6

Objectives: To assess impact of oral health and dental status on dietary intake of the Israeli elderly.
Methods: Data was collected on a subsample of those interviewed for the cross-sectional Mabat Zahav - National Health and Nutrition Survey of the Elderly, carried out in 2005-6 by the Ministry of Health in Israel. In-person interviews were conducted in the interviewees' homes, using a structured questionnaire which included detailed data about dietary intake of foods and nutrients.
Statistical significance of continuous variables was assessed by Students' t-Test, categorical variables by Chi square where normal distribution, Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney Two sample test were distributions were not normal.
Results: Statistically significant difference in nutrient intake was found between elderly that defined their oral health as good vs. bad. Elderly which possessed dentures had lower nutrient intake then their dentureless counterparts. Elderly with functional problems like chewing and prefer soft foods had worse nutrient intake than the other elderly.
Conclusions: The findings in our study showed that subjective oral health, denture status and functional ability adversely affected nutrient intake of Israeli elderly. The results emphasize the importance of maintaining good dental health in the elderly to assure adequate health status in this age group.