Abstract
To determine the relationship between tooth loss and nutritional status in older individuals in Sri Lanka. In developing countries, both the prevalence of malnutrition and oral disease are high among older individuals. Four hundred and eighty subjects aged 60 years and above were selected to be included in the sample, of which 437 responded giving an overall response rate of 91%. Data were collected by means of an interviewer administered questionnaire, an oral examination and a physical examination to determine height and weight to calculate the body mass index (BMI). Based on the WHO cut-offs for BMI, 62, 20 and 18% of the sample were normal, under- and over-weight, respectively. A multinomial logistic regression analysis with normal weight as the reference category revealed that missing teeth and denture status were associated with being underweight but not with being overweight. In older individuals, tooth loss is significantly associated with being underweight.
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