African Journal of Dentistry

African Journal of Dentistry ISSN 2756-3421 Vol. 10 (2), pp. 001-007, February, 2022. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Low dietary diversity among older Japanese adults with impaired dentition

Masanori Iwasaki^1,5*, Yumi Kimura², Akihiro Yoshihara⁴, Hiroshi Ogawa¹, Takayuki Yamaga¹, Taizo Wada², Ryota Sakamoto ², Yasuko Ishimoto², Eriko Fukutomi³, Wenling Chen³, Hissei Imai³, Michiko Fujisawa², Kiyohito Okumiya², Michael C. Manz⁶, Toshihiro Ansai⁵, Hideo Miyazaki¹ and Kozo Matsubayashi^2,3

¹Division of Preventive Dentistry, Department of Oral Health Science, Niigata University, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 2-6-1 Manazuru, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu 803-8580, Japan.

²Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University, 2-6-1 Manazuru, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu 803-8580, Japan.

³Department of Field Medicine, School of Public Health, Kyoto University, 2-6-1 Manazuru, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu 803-8580, Japan.

⁴Division of Oral Science for Health Promotion, Department of Oral Health and Welfare, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 2-6-1 Manazuru, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu 803-8580, Japan.

⁵Division of Community Oral Health Development, Kyushu Dental University, 2-6-1 Manazuru, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu 803-8580, Japan.

⁶Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences and Endodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, 2-6-1 Manazuru, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu 803-8580, Japan.

 Accepted 16 January, 2022

Abstract

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationship of dentition status, defined by the number of occluding pairs of natural teeth (OPNT) and removable denture fit, to food diversity among older Japanese adults. The study participants were 268 Japanese (mean age: 81.7 years) classified into four groups: (i) good dentition (n = 91; ≥ 5 OPNT), (ii) compromised dentition (n = 43; <5 OPNT), (iii) well-fitting dentures (n = 104; self -reported), and (iv) ill-fitting denture (n = 30; self-reported). Food diversity was assessed as a measure of dietary quality using the 11-item Food Diversity Score Kyoto (FDSK-11), which evaluates frequency of consumption of 11 main food groups (grains, potatoes, beans and soybean products, meat, fish and shellfish, eggs, milk and dairy products, vegetables, seaweed, nuts and fruits). Multivariable analysis of the differences in FDSK-11 score ranging from 0 to 11, with a higher score indicating greater food diversity, among the four groups was conducted using linear regression models with robust standard errors. The compromised dentition and self-perceived ill-fitting denture groups had significantly lower FDSK-11 scores than the good dentition group after adjusting for confounders (P < 0.05). A less-varied diet, as indicated by low FDSK-11 score, was observed in participants with fewer OPNT or ill-fitting dentures. Impaired dentition was associated with poor diet quality among older Japanese.

Key words: Epidemiology, elderly, diet, dental health.