Chewing ability and its associated factors among community-dwelling older adults in Chengdu, China: A cross-sectional study

Aim

To investigate the current status of chewing ability and analyze the risk factors among Chinese community-dwelling older adults.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, color-changeable gum and a color difference meter were used to assess chewing ability in the population. The statistical analysis employed multivariate logistic regression models to identify and quantify the factors influencing chewing ability.

Results

A total of 373 community-dwelling adults aged 65 and older in Chengdu, in the west of China, were included in this study; 64 individuals (17.2%) exhibited signs of poor chewing ability. Female (odds ratio [OR]: 0.124, 95% CI: 0.057–0.268, p < .001), education level with college degree and above (OR: 0.114, 95% CI: 0.030–0.434, p = .001), number of teeth less than 20 (OR: 5.401, 95% CI: 2.509–11.626, p < .001), and decreased oral diadochokinesis (OR: 4.445, 95% CI: 1.775–11.132, p = .001) were significant factors in chewing ability in this study, after adjustment for potential variables.

Conclusions

The prevalence of decreased chewing ability among Chinese community-dwelling older adults was 17.2% and decreased chewing ability was associated with men, lower education level, less than 20 teeth and decreased oral diadochokinesis.