[Effects of providing information on oral function and dietary intake to members of senior citizens clubs].

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the regular provision of information on the oral function and nutrition to members of senior citizens clubs, with the goal of promoting voluntary health behaviors and examining their effects on the oral function and dietary intake status.

Subjects and methods: Information on the oral function and nutrition was provided biannually to members of senior citizens clubs. The study included 60 participants who attended the measurement events in March 2022 and February 2024. Pre- and post-comparisons were conducted for awareness of oral frailty (OF), risk of OF, implementation of oral exercises, and tongue pressure. Participants were categorized into groups based on whether their oral function was maintained or improved or whether it deteriorated, and factors associated with the risk of OF were analyzed. The dietary intake status was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire comparing intake across 17 food groups and 23 nutrients before and after the intervention. A two-sided significance level of < 5% was set for all the analyses.

Results: The participants included 36 men and 24 women, with a mean age of 78.0±4.2 years and a mean BMI of 23.8±2.7 kg/m². No significant differences were observed between the sexes. While no significant differences were observed in the risk classification of OF before and after the intervention (p=0.359), significant increases were noted in awareness of OF (40% to 98%, p<0.001), the proportion of participants performing oral exercises (13% to 40%, p=0.002), and tongue pressure (31.6±7.2 kPa to 33.1±7.3 kPa, p=0.020). Age category and number of event participants were associated with the risk of OF. Conversely, significant increases or decreases were observed in 16 food groups and nutrients, but no clear improvements in dietary intake status were detected.

Conclusions: Providing information to a relatively health-conscious group of senior citizens club members improved their oral function. However, no improvement in dietary intake was observed. These findings suggest that while voluntary health behaviors can be promoted by providing information, the modification of daily dietary habits may be more challenging than incorporating oral exercises into daily routines.