Effects of eating habits, activities of daily living and health behaviors on oral health related-quality of life in elderly persons

Han, Jung Hee; Yom, Young Hee

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of eating habits, activities of daily living and health behaviors on oral health related-quality of life in elders.
METHODS
The sample consisted of 246 people 65 years or older. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, average standard deviation, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe, Pearson Correlation Analysis and Hierarchical Multiple Regression.
RESULTS
The control variables such as gender, presence of a spouse, subjective health status, presence of chronic disease and existing number of teeth explained 14% (F=7.76, p<.001) of variance in oral health related-quality of life. The control variables, eating habits, activities of daily living and health behaviors collectively explained 20% of variance in oral health related quality of life.
CONCLUSIONS
The factors that influence oral health related quality of life were presence of spouse presence factor, existing number of teeth and health behavior. Therefore, oral health related quality of life of elders requires the development of programs to boost the quality of life, and help the elderly people to maintain existing number of teeth by focusing on the variety of characteristics.