CHEWING ABILITY, DIET QUALITY, AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS IN NONAGENARIANS. (11th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Binotto, V; Bos, A
• Is Part Of: Innovation in aging. Volume 2(2018)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 515
• Page End: 515
• Publication Date: 2018-11-11
• Subjects: Aging -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 612.67
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igy023.1910
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2399-5300

Abstract

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Nonagenarians experience important structural and morphological changes, particularly in the oral cavity. Edentulism and the use of dental prostheses are prevalent. However, the poor adaptation of these dental prostheses can cause an unsatisfactory masticatory condition, impairing food quality and nutritional status. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the factors related to poor chewing capacity in nonagenarians. METHODOLOGY: This is a cross-sectional study, conducted between September and December 2016, in nonagenarians living in Porto Alegre at their home. Chewing ability was considered poor when 2 minutes of mastication caused moderate or less changes in the color of Xylitol® chewing gum (green, yellow and light pink). RESULTS: We evaluated 94 nonagenarians, 52 (55%) of them had poor chewing ability. Nonagenarians with poor chewing ability were more often women (p=0.006), with less years of study (p=0.045), eating less fruit (p=0.130) and less vegetables (p=0.039) per week. They also presented greater difficulty in climbing stairs (p=0.004), worse left handgrip (p=0.038) and slower walking speed (p=0.036). CONCLUSION: This is a pioneering research in Brazil. The Xylitol® chewing gum was efficient to evaluate chewing ability of nonagenarians at home, being well accepted and easy to apply. Chewing ability was worse in females and associated to physical performance, food intake quality, and nutritional status. We concluded that chewing ability is an important function to evaluate in nonagenarians. We urge to include this assessment in a comprehensive evaluation of the oldest-old, if we aim to achieve a better quality of life in this age group.