Relationship between nutritional status and tooth loss in an older population from Sri Lanka

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between tooth loss and nutritional status in older individuals in Sri Lanka. BACKGROUND: In developing countries, both the prevalence of malnutrition and oral disease are high among older individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four hundred and eighty subjects aged 60 years and above were selected to be included in the sample, of which 437 responded giving an overall response rate of 91%. Data were collected by means of an interviewer administered questionnaire, an oral examination and a physical examination to determine height and weight to calculate the body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: Based on the WHO cut-offs for BMI, 62, 20 and 18% of the sample were normal, under- and over-weight, respectively. A multinomial logistic regression analysis with normal weight as the reference category revealed that missing teeth and denture status were associated with being underweight but not with being overweight. CONCLUSION: In older individuals, tooth loss is significantly associated with being underweight.