Food Consumption and Nutrient Intake in Relation to Denture Use in 55- to 84-Year-Old Men and Women -Results of a Population Based Survey

Abstract

Objective: To study differences in consumption of foods and intake of nutrients attributable to denture status.

Design, setting and participants: Data from a cross-sectional, nationally representative Health 2000 Survey, subjects aged 55-84 years (n=2,241).

Measurements: Denture status (edentulous with full dentures, own dentition with removable dentures, own dentition with no removable dentures) was used as an explanatory variable. The consumption of foods and intake of nutrients was used as an outcome variable and was measured using a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire.

Results: Denture status associated with food choices. Full denture wearers consumed less vegetables (p = 0.013 among men and p = 0.001 among women) and fruits (p = 0.001 among women), more sugary products (p = 0.012 among men and p = 0.008 among women), and their balance in fatty acids was less favourable than among dentate participants. Among dentate participants, the differences between the two groups were small and statistically significant differences were seen mostly in women.

Conclusions: Wearing full dentures appears to be associated with unhealthier food choices, lower consumption of some foodstuffs and lower intake of certain nutrients when compared to the food choices of dentate persons.

Keywords: Denture status; food consumption; national survey; nutrient intake; older people.