J Dent Hyg Sci.  2021 Sep;21(3):185-197. 10.17135/jdhs.2021.21.3.185.

The Relationship between Meal Regularity and Oral Health and Metabolic Syndrome of Adults in Single Korean Households

• Jung JA
• Cheon HW
• Ju OJ

• KMID: 2520990
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.17135/jdhs.2021.21.3.185

Abstract

Background
This study aimed at investigating the meal regularity, health, and oral health habits of single Korean households to understand the impact of these factors on the risk of metabolic syndrome, in addition to preventing and managing metabolic syndrome.
Methods
Using raw data from the 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2019), 274 study subjects, aged 19 to 64, were selected primarily from single adult households. Complex sample statistical analysis was performed using the Predictive Analytics Software Statistics ver. 18.0 program.
Results
Regarding the meal regularity in single-person households in Korea, the younger group outperformed the middle-aged group, and those who drank more than once a month performed better than those who drank less than once a month. In terms of oral health, regardless of the age and the income level, participants who ate three meals a day had a higher rate of speech problems and chewing difficulties than those who ate irregularly or regularly on a regular day. Factors influencing the risk of developing metabolic syndrome were age, speech problems, and frequency of toothbrushing. Compared to the younger group, there were 0.361 times more people in the middle-aged group; and compared to those without speech problems, there were 1.161 more people with speech problem. Compared to those who tooth brushed more than four times a day, there were 1.284 more people who tooth brushed 2 to 3 times a day and there were 5.673 times more people who tooth brushed less than once.
Conclusion
Based on the study results, it is necessary to implement a program that can plan and apply customized management measures and prevent metabolic syndrome by improving and correcting the health and oral health behaviors of single-person households in Korea. Therefore, active mediation measures, such as support and publicity at the local or national level, should be planned.

Keyword

Meal regularity; Metabolic syndrome; Oral health; Single-person households