%0 Journal Article
%T Development of a Masticatory Indicator Using a Checklist of Chewable Food Items for the Community-Dwelling Elderly
%A Hiroko Miura
%A Kayoko Sato
%A Shuichi Hara
%A Kiyoko Yamasaki
%A Naoko Morisaki
%J ISRN Geriatrics
%D 2013
%R 10.1155/2013/194693
%X The purpose of the present study was to develop a new assessment scale to evaluate masticatory ability among community-dwelling elderly individuals. The study comprised 761 independent elderly subjects residing in the community. We pooled 25 food items with various textures. Based upon the pass rate and nonresponse rate, we extracted 9 food items to be included in the masticatory ability assessment for the community-dwelling elderly (MACE). The reliability of this assessment was determined using Cronbach¡¯s alpha coefficients. We then examined the concurrent validity of the MACE by comparing it with an existing method termed ¡°mastication score.¡± Additionally, the convergent validity was examined by comparing the correlation coefficients of MACE, general oral health assessment index (GOHAI), and the number of teeth. Cronbach¡¯s alpha coefficient of MACE was 0.89 ( ), indicating satisfactory reliability. MACE was significantly correlated with the mastication score ( ), GOHAI ( ), and the number of teeth ( ). These results suggest that MACE is a useful tool with sufficient reliability and validity to identify declines in masticatory ability among community-dwelling elderly individuals. 1. Introduction It is very important for middle-aged and elderly individuals in particular to maintain a healthy diet. Furthermore, for community-dwelling elderly persons, dietary insufficiency is adversely associated with overall health status [1, 2]. The digestive process begins with mastication, which is influenced by oral health status [3, 4]. Some cross-sectional studies report that chewing function is related to nutritional status, food selection, body composition (sarcopenia), and physical balance [5, 6]. In particular, poor mastication may contribute to restricted fruit and vegetable intake [7, 8]. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of Japan indicated that 26.6% of Japanese people aged 60¨C69 years and 40.8% of Japanese people above 70 years of age had difficulty chewing [9] Interestingly, Bradbury et al. reported that the combined approach of improved masticatory ability and provision of suitable nutritional guidance was effective in increasing fruit and vegetable intake among the elderly [10]. Improvement of masticatory status has been stated as a part of the Food and Nutrition Education (Shokuiku) by the Cabinet of Japan [11]. However, few assessments on the masticatory status of community-dwelling elderly individuals have been reported. In many epidemiological studies among community-dwelling elderly persons, subjective evaluation has frequently
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/isrn.geriatrics/2013/194693/