beta-carotene and Mouth--Edentulous

The objectives of this study were to examine the associations between functional dentition and the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) scores and nutrient intakes among older adults in the United States.. The sample consisted of 2560 adults, 60 years and over from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002. We used multivariate linear regression to examine associations between functional dentition and HEI scores or nutrient intakes controlling for the potential confounding effects of age, race/ethnicity, education, smoking status, body mass index (BMI), self-reported health, and caloric intake. Dentate status was classified as: edentulous (no natural permanent teeth or implants), 1-20 teeth, or > or =21 teeth. A functional dentition was defined as having 21 or more teeth present. HEI scores and nutrient intakes were based on one 24-hour dietary recall.. Males with a functional dentition consumed slightly more fruit and had higher alpha- and beta-carotene intakes than edentulous males. Females with any natural teeth had higher vitamin C intakes than edentulous females. There were no significant associations between dentate status and any of the remaining HEI scores or nutrient intakes for either sex.. Having a functional dentition did not contribute substantially to higher HEI scores or nutrient intakes in this nationally representative sample of older adults. However, older men and women with no teeth or those who wear dentures consumed fewer servings of fruits and vegetables, especially those rich in carotenes and vitamin C, than those with teeth.

Topics: Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Dentition; Diet; Energy Intake; Female; Fruit; Humans; Linear Models; Male; Middle Aged; Mouth, Edentulous; Nutrition Disorders; Nutrition Surveys; Nutritional Status; Sex Factors; United States; Vegetables

Dental status and its relationship to diet and nutritional status have been little explored. In this study of a representative sample of the US civilian, non-institutionalized population (NHANES III), we predicted that the intake of nutritious foods, dietary fiber, and levels of biochemical analytes would be lower, even after adjusting for potential social and behavioral factors, among those who were edentulous and wore complete dentures than for those who had all their natural teeth. Multivariate analyses indicated that intake of carrots and tossed salads among denture-wearers was, respectively, 2.1 and 1.5 times less than for the fully dentate (p < 0.0001), and dietary fiber intake was 1.2 times less (p < 0.05). Serum levels of beta carotene (9.8 microg/dL), folate (4.7 ng/dL), and vitamin C (0.87 mg/dL) were also lower among denture-wearers (p < 0.05). Intakes of some nutrient-rich foods and beta carotene, folate, and vitamin C serum levels were significantly lower in denture-wearers.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Deficiency Diseases; Denture, Complete; Diet; Dietary Fiber; Female; Folic Acid; Humans; Linear Models; Male; Mouth, Edentulous; Multivariate Analysis; Nutritional Status; Tooth Loss; United States; Vegetables