[Chewing ability in relation to physical health status].

The purpose of the present study is to explore relationship of chewing ability to physical health status in the elderly. Subjects were 722 community elderly adults aged 65 years and over (participation rate 88.6%). They were divided into 2 groups according to chewing ability as rated by a questionnaire: good and bad. Results obtained were as follows; 1. Those who had good ability of chewing accounted for 86% of the subjects. The chewing ability was determined by dental status. Those with more natural teeth were better able to chew. 2. Multiple regression analyses controlled by age and sex showed that good chewing ability had significantly positive effect on weight, body mass and length of time for standing on one leg with eyes open.