Associations between Chewing Difficulty, Subjective Cognitive Decline, and Related Functional Difficulties among Older People without Dementia: Focus on Body Mass Index

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine whether chewing difficulty is associated with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and related functional difficulties by body mass index.

Design: A population-based cross-sectional study.

Setting and participants: A nationwide sample of 54,004 individuals aged ≥65 years from the 2018 Korea Community Health Survey.

Measurements: SCD and SCD-related functional difficulties were measured using the cognitive decline module of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Chewing difficulty was assessed based on a self-report questionnaire from an oral health-related behaviors interview survey. BMI was calculated from objective values by measuring height and weight through a physical meter.

Results: Among the 54,004 individuals, the prevalence of SCD in underweight, overweight, and obesity group was 33.6% (n = 806), 30.3% (n = 9,691), and 28.7% (n=5,632) respectively. Chewing difficulty was associated with SCD and SCD-related functional difficulties. This association was more pronounced in underweight (BMI: <18.5 kg/m2) people [underweight: (odds ratio [OR] = 1.68, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.48-1.92); normal weight: OR = 1.13, 95% CI 1.04-1.22; obese: OR = 1.15, 95% CI 1.05-1.27]. Similar trends were demonstrated for SCD-related functional difficulties (underweight: OR = 1.53, 95% CI 1.17-2.01; normal weight: OR = 1.36, 95% CI 1.15-1.63; obese: OR = 1.50, 95% CI 1.22-1.86).

Conclusions: Chewing difficulty was associated with SCD and SCD-related functional difficulties in older people. Our results suggest that underweight status may play roles in the associations between chewing difficulty and SCD and SCD-related functional difficulties.