Link between Oral Health Problems and
Weight Loss
Weight Loss Study Aim
Weight loss studies of hospitalized and institutionalized older adults
suggest a relationship between poor oral health and subsequent weight
loss. Given the association between weight loss and subsequent mortality
and morbidity, we evaluated how oral health problems contributed to significant
weight loss over a 1-year period among a representative sample of community-dwelling
older adults.
Weight Loss Study Methods
563 adults aged 70 years and older living at home in rural and urban areas
in six New England states were studied. Baseline data included information
regarding health status, functional status, physical activity, disease
diagnoses, lifestyle behaviors, and cognitive and affective status. Dentists
performed oral health assessments. One year later, participants were called
and asked questions regarding their health and dietary practices and their
current body weight.
Weight Loss Study Results
Over the 1-year period of follow-up, approximately one third of the sample
had lost 4 percent or more of their previous total body weight; 6 percent
of men and 11 percent of women lost 10 percent or more of their previous
body weight. Of the subjects, 37 percent were edentulous; most of these
individuals wore full dentures. With gender, income, advanced age, and
baseline weight controlled for, edentulousness remained an independent
risk factor for significant weight loss (odds ratio 1.63 for 4 percent
weight loss and 2.03 for 10 percent weight loss). Individuals with increasing
numbers of posterior teeth and functional units were at slightly lower
risk for weight loss; however, these associations did not reach statistical
significance.
Weight Loss Study Conclusion
Dentate status is an important risk factor for clinically significant
weight loss among community-dwelling older adults.
Source: 2000 The Gerontological Society
of America.
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