• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.202-209
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• 2018

This study analyzed the effects of the nutrient intake on oral health and chewing difficulty according to the age group. The subjects were 5,855 participants of the third Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(KNHANES VI), 2015, Korea Centers for Disease Control and prevention and aged 20 years and over. The data were analyzed using SPSS Ver 21.0, classified as the difficulty in chewing group (DC) and no difficulty in chewing group (NDC). As a result, the DC rates were 5 times higher in the 60+ year age group (39.5%) than in the 20-39 year age group (8.1%). The DC group were experience periodontal disease (33.4%), dental caries (30.1%), diabetes (41.8%), myocardial infarction (57.3%), arthritis (44.0%), asthma (48.0%), and depression (41.9%). In addition, 86% of the DC group were experiencing speech problems. The DC group had significantly lower intakes (1446.59g), than the NDC group (1666.62g), and the protein, carbohydrate, dietary fiber and other dietary intake were significantly lower. These findings suggest that the chewing difficulty is related to the nutrient intake, and psychological status in the elderly DC group. Therefore, the care of chewing difficulties is essential for the elderly to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Accordingly, oral care and myofunctional therapy are needed to maintain oral health.