title: Predictors of chewing ability among community-residing older adults in Korea.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Decreased chewing ability in older adults can lead to poor nutritional and physical conditions, and eventually death. The present study examined the relationships between chewing ability and related characteristics (e.g. health promotion habits, health status and functional status), and identified predictors of chewing ability in community-residing older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Among the total of 11 542 participants in the 2011 National Survey on Older Adults in Korea, data from 10 543 participants were used for analysis. Chewing ability was evaluated using a self-report of chewing ability. Exercise ability was assessed by objective exercise ability and perceived exercise ability in both the upper and lower extremities. Depression and cognitive functions were measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form and the Mini-Mental State Examination, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 56.9% of participants had poor chewing abilities. After adjusting for age and sex, logistic regression analysis showed that depression (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.60-1.92), cognitive impairment (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.17-1.40), objective exercise ability (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.11-1.41), regular exercise habits (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.13-1.34), medical check-up history (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.05-1.32), number of chronic diseases (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.09-1.15) and perceived exercise ability in the lower extremities (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.05-1.10) were significant predictors of chewing ability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chewing ability in older adults should be improved in consideration of mental and general health condition. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 78-84.
authors.affiliation: Nursing Department, Far East University, Eumseong, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyongok
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Gwi-Ryung Son
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Hong
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology*; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report
keywords: chewing ability; cognition; depression; exercise