Adherence to the food-based Japanese dietary guidelines and prevalence of poor oral health-related quality of life among older Japanese adults in the Kyoto–Kameoka study

Abstract

Although better diet quality is inversely related to the risk of geriatric disorders, the association of adherence to dietary guidelines with oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) is unclear. We aimed to investigate this association in older Japanese adults. This cross-sectional study included 7984 Japanese participants aged ≥ 65 years from the population-based Kyoto–Kameoka study. Dietary intake was estimated using a validated self-administered FFQ. The scores for adherence to the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top (range: 0 (worst) to 80 (best)) were calculated. These scores were stratified into quartiles (Qs). Poor OHRQoL was defined as a score ≤ 50 using a 12-item Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index. The OR and 95 % CI were calculated using multivariable logistic regression and the spline model. Higher adherence score was associated with a lower prevalence of poor OHRQoL (Q1–Q4:36·0 %, 32·1 %, 27·9 % and 25·1 %, respectively). An inverse association was found between the score for adherence to the food-based Japanese dietary guidelines and the OR of poor OHRQoL among all the participants (Q1: reference; Q2: OR, 0·87 (95 % CI: 0·75, 1·00); Q3: OR, 0·77 (95 % CI: 0·66, 0·90); Q4: OR, 0·72 (95 % CI: 0·62, 0·85); P _{for trend} < 0·001). These relationships were similar to the results in the spline model. Higher adherence to the food-based Japanese dietary guidelines is inversely associated with the prevalence of poor OHRQoL in older adults. Our results may provide useful insights to improve and maintain oral health.

Oral health plays an essential role in food consumption, mastication, swallowing and speaking⁽¹⁾. Among community-dwelling older adults, poor oral health is associated with higher rates of sarcopenia⁽²⁾, disability⁽²⁾ and poor nutritional status⁽³⁾. These disorders are major determinants of future health and are associated with increased morbidity and mortality⁽⁴⁾. Therefore, older people should be supported to achieve better oral health via their daily activities.

Recommendations for oral health promotion include smoking reduction, oral fluoride use, diet and nutrition improvement, and development of personal skills⁽⁵⁾. In some epidemiological studies, oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) has been assessed using the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI), which reflects an individual’s oral health condition^(6–8). Among dietary factors of poor oral health, consumption of green tea⁽⁹⁾, fruits and vegetables⁽¹⁰⁾ reportedly have an inverse relationship with the prevalence of poor OHRQoL among older people. However, encouraging the consumption of fruits and vegetables as well as discouraging foods with high sugar content are important to ensure good oral health⁽¹¹⁾. Poor diet quality, including micronutrient deficiency (vitamin C, D or B₁₂), are related to the onset and progression of dental caries and periodontitis, which are the major causes of tooth loss^(12,13). Therefore, evaluating the association between oral health and the adherence to dietary guidelines is important, as it will help to increase knowledge on better dietary patterns.

In Japan, the food-based Japanese dietary guidelines for the promotion and teaching of good dietary patterns are called the ‘Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top’^(14–16). Using these guidelines, diet quality score was inversely related to all-cause mortality⁽¹⁶⁾. Some dietary patterns are inversely associated with poor oral health status (mainly oral function) in the older population^(17,18); however, there are few studies on adherence to dietary guidelines and oral health, including subdomains such as psychosocial and pain and discomfort among community-dwelling older adults. It may provide knowledge to aid the understanding of individualised risk factors for oral health that are linked to the adherence to dietary guidelines. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to examine the association between the prevalence of poor OHRQoL and the score for adherence to the food-based Japanese dietary guidelines in older Japanese individuals. We hypothesised that a higher adherence to the food-based Japanese dietary guidelines is inversely associated with the prevalence of poor OHRQoL in older adults.

Material and methods

Study population

The Kyoto–Kameoka study started on 29 July 2011 and involved 13 294 individuals aged ≥ 65 years by baseline survey in a community-dwelling older population-based cohort; the details are described elsewhere^{(9,10,19–23)}. A health and nutrition status survey (additional survey), including GOHAI and FFQ, was conducted on 14 February 2012. Valid responses were obtained from 8319 participants. The baseline and additional surveys were collected by postal mail. Informed consent and the participants’ responses to the questionnaires were obtained simultaneously. Information on medical history, smoking and drinking status, dietary habits, physical activity, and socio-economic status was obtained during each survey. The Ethics Committee of the National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN-76–2); Kyoto University of Advanced Science (No. 20–1); and Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine (RBMR-E-363) approved our study protocol.

Of the 8319 participants, those with incomplete OHRQoL assessment responses (n 122), those with a self-reported ‘need for long-term care’ (n 127) and those with an extremely high or low energy intake (3 sd) on the basis of the mean energy intake of each sex group (n 86)⁽²¹⁾ were excluded. Finally, 7984 participants were included in this cross-sectional study.

Calculation of the score for adherence to the food-based Japanese dietary guidelines

To estimate dietary nutrient and food intake, participants were asked to report their intake frequency over the past year in a validated self-administered FFQ^{(19,20,24,25)} that consisted of forty-seven food and beverage items. Food and nutrient intake were calculated using the frequency of appearance of each food and beverage category in the questionnaire and the portion size of food consumed by each sex group⁽²⁶⁾ or by using a programme based on the Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan (fifth revised edition)⁽²⁷⁾. To estimate the energy intake accurately, the calibrated energy intake was calculated using our previously developed equation that was based on the doubly labelled water method⁽¹⁹⁾.

The scores for adherence to the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top^(14–16) were calculated. We previously reported the scoring method of these guidelines and details of the calculation are described elsewhere⁽¹⁶⁾. The Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top includes seven food and nutrient domains related to healthy dietary patterns, including grains, vegetables, fish and meat, milk, fruits, energy diets, and snacks and alcohol. Like in a previous study, we added the ratio of white to red meat as a component of the score⁽¹⁶⁾. Each domain is calculated using the food serving size and nutrient intake. The ratio of white to red meat was calculated using the sum of each estimated food intake. The recommended number of servings and total energy intake for each domain were identified according to sex, age and physical activity level. The adherence scores were calculated using the amount of food servings and nutrient intake that were in line with these recommended values. Each component of the score had a value between 0 and 10. The scores of each component are summed to obtain the total score that ranges from 0 (worst) to 80 (best).

Definition of poor oral health-related quality of life

OHRQoL was assessed using the GOHAI, which is a validated self-administered questionnaire consisting of twelve items^(6–8). The GOHAI includes three hypothetical domains of oral health: five items on physical function, five items on psychosocial function, and two items on pain and discomfort⁽⁸⁾. Using a five-point ordinal scale, participants were asked to respond to each question: their responses took into consideration the 3-month period before the study. The points ranged from 12 (worst OHRQoL) to 60 (best OHRQoL), and a poor OHRQoL was defined as ≤50 points^(9,10). There is a reported association between the GOHAI score and number of teeth and denture use, and the reliability of GOHAI has been confirmed in older Japanese people⁽⁸⁾. Additionally, we investigated the association between the GOHAI subdomains and adherence to the food-based Japanese dietary guidelines.

Statistical analysis

The participants were classified into quartiles (Qs) of scores for adherence to the food-based Japanese dietary guidelines. The continuous variables are expressed as means and standard deviations. The categorical variables are expressed as numbers with percentages. Multiple imputation on five data sets was performed using the multivariate imputation by the chained equation package from R statistical software to prevent logical errors or missing answers for covariates⁽²⁸⁾. Missing data were assumed to be missing at random. In addition, the participants’ characteristics were compared between participants with complete data and participants with incomplete data.

The nutrient density method using uncalibrated energy intake was employed to adjust dietary intake for energy intake per 4184 kJ⁽²⁹⁾. The values are expressed as medians in each Q group. The association between adherence score and dietary intake was confirmed using Spearman’s correlation analysis.

The number of participants with a poor OHRQoL is shown as number (%). To confirm the association between the prevalence of poor OHRQoL and adherence score, a multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for covariates was performed using the following models: model 1 was adjusted for age (continuous), sex (female or male) and population density (≥ 1000 or < 1000 people/km²); model 2 was similar to model 1, but it was also adjusted for BMI (continuous), moderate physical activity (yes or no), smoking status (never smoker, past smoker and current smoker), alcohol status (drinkers or non-drinkers), educational attainment (< 9, 10–12 or ≥ 13 years), medication use (yes or no), living alone (yes or no), socio-economic status (high or low), green tea consumption (frequency), coffee consumption (frequency) and history of disease (yes or no); model 3 was similar to model 2, but it was also adjusted for denture use (yes or no), poor mastication (yes or no), dry mouth (yes or no), choking accident (yes or no), regular dental check-up (yes or no) and daily tooth brushing (yes or no). The variance inflation factor ≤ 10 was used as an indicator to avoid multicollinearity⁽³⁰⁾. Models 1 and 2 were adjusted for variables with reference to covariates from previous studies^(21,22). Model 3 was adjusted for oral health-related variables because both OHRQoL and dietary intake are dependent on the oral health status⁽²²⁾; these variables are factors of poor oral health progression and function and may induce poor diet quality⁽³¹⁾. The prevalence rates of poor OHRQoL in the Qs are shown as OR with 95 % CI, with the first Q (lowest adherence score) being the reference. OR and the corresponding 95 % CI were estimated for a 10-point increase in adherence score. The linear trend P-value was calculated after considering the adherence score, as a continuous variable. It was necessary to exclude the effects of sex and denture use because it has been reported that diet quality is lower in men⁽¹⁶⁾ and participants who use dentures^(9,10) have higher rates of poor oral health. Therefore, a subgroup analysis stratified by sex or denture use (yes or no) was performed. A multivariate least squares regression model, composed of the above-mentioned covariates, was used to adjust for confounders of the association between the subdomain score (evaluated using the GOHAI) and adherence score. In addition, the association between the prevalence of poor OHRQoL and the adherence score for each of the eight components of the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top was evaluated. Furthermore, using a restricted cubic spline model, the curve of the relationship between adherence score, prevalence of poor OHRQoL and the subdomain score (from the GOHAI) was evaluated by considering three data points (5th, 50th and 95th percentiles) on the basis of the distribution of the recommended adherence score⁽³²⁾. Considering that the data were sparse, we truncated the analysis at 30 points (1 % of distribution)⁽³²⁾. We calculated the OR for the association between prevalence of poor OHRQoL and adherence score using 43·3 points (first Q value) as the reference in the restricted cubic spline model⁽³²⁾.

A P-value < 0·05 was considered significant. All statistical analyses were computed using STATA MP, version 15.0 (StataCorp LP) and/or R statistical software 3.4.3 (R Core Team).

Results

The baseline characteristics of the study participants are shown in Table 1. The mean score for adherence to the food-based Japanese dietary guidelines was 54·3 (range, 8·5–76·2). Compared with participants with a lower adherence score, participants with a higher score were more likely to be women, live alone, have a history of dyslipidaemia and have a higher socio-economic status and educational attainment. They were less likely to be alcohol drinkers, current smokers and use dentures. Participants with missing values were older (higher age); however, there was no difference in sex between them and those with complete values (online Supplementary Table S1).

Table 1.

Baseline characteristics of the study participants

(Mean values and standard deviations; numbers and percentages)

			Quartile of the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top score
	Total (n 7984)		Q1 (n 1996)		Q2 (n 1996)		Q3 (n 1996)		Q4 (n 1996)
	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%	P
Age (years)*
Mean	73·5		73·7		73·4		73·2		73·6		0·037
sd	6·2		6·2		6·3		6·1		6·0
Women†	4234	53·0	639	32·0	991	49·7	1184	59·3	1420	71·1	< 0·001
PD ≥ 1000 people/km2 †	3655	45·8	839	42·0	883	44·2	921	46·1	1012	50·7	< 0·001
BMI (kg/m2)*
Mean	22·6		22·8		22·7		22·6		22·3		< 0·001
sd	3·0		3·1		3·1		3·0		2·9
Alcohol drinker†	5200	65·1	1469	73·6	1337	67·0	1225	61·4	1169	58·6	< 0·001
Current smoker†	843	10·6	379	19·0	231	11·6	134	6·7	99	5·0	< 0·001
MVPA†	3596	45·0	866	43·4	917	45·9	908	45·5	905	45·3	0·376
Living alone†	920	11·5	198	9·9	199	10·0	245	12·3	278	13·9	< 0·001
HSES†	2747	34·4	584	29·3	628	31·5	716	35·9	819	41·0	< 0·001
Education ≥ 13 years†	1738	21·8	392	19·6	431	21·6	453	22·7	462	23·2	< 0·001
Denture use†	4891	61·3	1282	64·2	1250	62·6	1175	58·9	1184	59·3	< 0·001
Poor mastication†	2521	31·6	737	36·9	673	33·7	605	30·3	506	25·4	< 0·001
Dry mouth†	2238	28·0	562	28·2	600	30·1	550	27·6	526	26·4	0·069
Choking accidents†	1654	20·7	437	21·9	441	22·1	383	19·2	393	19·7	0·044
Regular dental check-up†	3038	38·1	651	32·6	683	34·2	831	41·6	873	43·7	< 0·001
Daily tooth brushing†	7376	92·4	1750	87·7	1850	92·7	1876	94·0	1900	95·2	< 0·001
No medication†	1805	22·6	468	23·5	487	24·4	424	21·2	426	21·3	< 0·001
Hypertension†	3006	37·7	732	36·7	761	38·1	763	38·2	750	37·6	0·731
Stroke†	273	3·4	76	3·8	88	4·4	61	3·1	48	2·4	0·003
Heart disease†	945	11·8	259	13·0	254	12·7	195	9·8	237	11·9	0·006
Diabetes†	796	10·0	205	10·3	211	10·6	193	9·7	187	9·4	0·570
Dyslipidaemia†	763	9·6	123	6·2	165	8·3	203	10·2	272	13·6	0·016

Multiple imputations were performed for participants with missing data, and missing variables were imputed: BMI (n 39; 0·5 %), alcohol status (n 305; 3·8 %), smoking status (n 358; 4·5 %), physical activity (n 543; 6·8 %), family structure (n 618; 7·7 %), socio-economic status (n 382; 4·8 %), educational attainment (n 926; 11·6 %), denture use (n 217; 2·7 %), poor mastication (n 197; 2·5 %), dry mouth (n 266; 3·3 %), choking accidents (n 181; 2·3 %), regular dental check-up (n 332; 4·2 %), daily tooth brushing (n 214; 2·7 %) and medications (n 632; 7·9 %). Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 include the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top scores of < 49·3, 49·3–54·8, 54·9–60·1 and ≥ 60·2, respectively. PD, population density; MVPA, moderate to vigorous physical activity; HSES, high socio-economic status; .

^*Continuous variables are expressed as mean with standard deviation and were analyzed using variance analysis.

^†Categorical values are shown as numbers (percentage) and were analyzed using the Chi-square test. MVPA refers to those who had MVPA exercise habits from a questionnaire. Have you choked on your tea or soup recently? If a participant responded ‘Yes’ to this question, this was defined as ‘choking accidents’.

The association of adherence scores with nutrient and food intake is shown in Table 2. Adherence score was moderately correlated with vitamin C intake (r = 0·46), vegetables (r = 0·41), fruits (r = 0·56) and dairy products (r = 0·46). Participants with higher adherence scores tended to have higher fats, folates and Ca intake (r ≥ 0·30).

Table 2.

Association between energy and nutrient intake and adherence to the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top

	Quartile of the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top score				r *
	Q1 (n 1996)	Q2 (n 1996)	Q3 (n 1996)	Q4 (n 1996)
Nutrients
Calibrated EI (kJ/d)†	9582	9000	8569	8335	–0·23
Uncalibrated EI (kJ/d)	7628	7230	7155	7105	–0·05
Protein (% energy/d)	10·8	12·0	12·4	12·7	0·27
Fat (% energy/d)	19·0	23·3	25·7	28·7	0·35
Carbohydrate (% energy/d)	56·2	56·1	55·7	55·6	–0·02
SFA (g/4184 kJ/d)	5·5	6·4	6·9	7·4	0·26
MUFA (g/4184 kJ/d)	8·2	9·7	10·6	12·0	0·30
PUFA (g/4184 kJ/d)	7·0	8·3	8·8	9·8	0·27
n-6 PUFA (g/4184 kJ/d)	6·0	7·3	7·8	8·7	0·28
n-3 PUFA (g/4184 kJ/d)	1·0	1·2	1·3	1·4	0·29
Cholesterol (mg/4184 kJ/d)	108	120	122	125	0·12
Vitamin A (µg RE/4184 kJ/d)‡	393	480	517	490	0·11
Vitamin D (µg/4184 kJ/d)	2·2	2·5	2·4	2·4	0·02
α-tocopherol (mg/4184 kJ/d)	4·5	5·4	5·8	6·4	0·28
Folate (µg/4184 kJ/d)	143	175	190	217	0·34
Vitamin C (mg/4184 kJ/d)	41	52	60	75	0·46
Na (mg/4184 kJ/d)	898	977	975	979	0·08
K (mg/4184 kJ/d)	979	1106	1161	1229	0·29
Fe (mg/4184 kJ/d)	3·2	3·7	3·8	4·0	0·19
Ca (mg/4184 kJ/d)	225	272	307	331	0·31
Total dietary fibre (g/4184 kJ/d)	5·0	5·8	6·1	6·6	0·28
Alcohol (g/4184 kJ/d)	0·7	0·0	0·0	0·0	–0·22
Food
Grains (g/4184 kJ/d)	273	262	254	247	–0·15
Vegetables (g/4184 kJ/d)	59	86	99	125	0·41
Fruits (g/4184 kJ/d)	13	25	43	70	0·56
Dairies (g/4184 kJ/d)	6	42	81	95	0·46
Red meats (g/4184 kJ/d)	11	12	11	9	–0·04
White meats (g/4184 kJ/d)	34	45	46	47	0·19
Confectionery (g/4184 kJ/d)	10	9	9	8	–0·13

EI, energy intake. Energy intake conversion factor: 1 kJ = 0.239 kcal.

All values are presented as median or correlation coefficient. Nutrient intake was adjusted for energy intake via the nutrient density method by using uncalibrated energy intake. The values are expressed as median in each quartile group. Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 include the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top scores of < 49·3, 49·3–54·8, 54·9–60·1 and ≥ 60·2, respectively.

^*Spearman’s correlation analysis was used for the relationship between dietary intake and adherence score.

^†Calibrated EI was calculated using the equation we developed.

^‡Sum of retinol, β-carotene/12, α-carotene/24 and cryptoxanthin/24.

The prevalence of poor OHRQoL was 36·0 % in Q1, 32·1 % in Q2, 27·9 % in Q3 and 25·1 % in Q4 (Table 3). In model 3, we found an inverse association between score for adherence to the food-based Japanese dietary guidelines and poor OHRQoL among all the participants (Q1: reference; Q2: OR, 0·87 (95 % CI: 0·75, 1·00); Q3: OR, 0·77 (95 % CI: 0·66, 0·90); Q4: OR, 0·72 (95 % CI: 0·62, 0·85); P _{for trend} < 0·001), with adjustments for potential confounders. Moreover, the multivariable-adjusted OR (95 % CI) of poor OHRQoL for a 10-point increment was 0·85 (0·78, 0·92) in model 3. These relationships were similar to those found in the spline model (Fig. 1). Two subgroup analyses (stratified by sex and denture use) showed results similar to those in the multivariate-adjusted model (online Supplementary Table S2). In addition, there was a positive association of adherence score to scores for total, physical functioning, psychosocial functioning, and pain and discomfort, which were evaluated using the GOHAI subdomains (Fig. 2 and online Supplementary Table S3).

Table 3.

Multivariable logistic regression analyses of the prevalence of poor oral health-related quality of life according to the score for adherence to the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top

(Odd ratios and 95 % confidence intervals; mean values and standard deviations; numbers and percentages)

	Quartile of the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top score
	Q1		Q2		Q3		Q4
	n 1996		n 1996		n 1996		n 1996		10 points increment
	OR	95 % CI	OR	95 % CI	OR	95 % CI	OR	95 % CI	OR	95 % CI	P for trend *
Score
Mean	43·3		52·2		57·5		64·1
sd	5·5		1·6		1·5		3·0
Poor OHRQoL case
n	718		641		556		501
%	36·0		32·1		27·9		25·1
Model 1†	1·00	(Ref)	0·83	0·73, 0·95	0·68	0·59, 0·78	0·57	0·50, 0·66	0·76	0·71, 0·82	< 0·001
Model 2‡	1·00	(Ref)	0·87	0·76, 0·99	0·74	0·65, 0·86	0·64	0·56, 0·75	0·81	0·75, 0·87	< 0·001
Model 3§	1·00	(Ref)	0·87	0·75, 1·00	0·77	0·66, 0·90	0·72	0·62, 0·85	0·85	0·78, 0·92	< 0·001

All values are expressed as mean (sd), number (%) or relative OR (95 % CI). All estimates were derived from the multivariable logistic regression model. Poor OHRQoL is defined as a score ≤ 50 on a validated GOHAI. Bold P-values are statistically significant (P < 0·05). Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 include the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top scores of < 49·3, 49·3–54·8, 54·9–60·1 and ≥ 60·2, respectively. GOHAI, Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index; OHRQoL, oral health-related quality of life; Ref, reference.

^*Linear trend P-values were calculated using the likelihood ratio test and a continuous variable of adherence score.

^†Model 1 was adjusted for age, sex and population density.

^‡Model 2 was model 1 plus adjustment for BMI, moderate physical activity, smoking status, alcohol status, education, medications, living alone, socio-economic status, green tea consumption, coffee consumption and history of disease (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia, heart disease and stroke).

^§Model 3 was model 2 plus mutual adjustment for denture use, poor mastication, dry mouth, choking accidents, regular dental check-up and daily tooth brushing.

Fig. 1.

Association between score for adherence to the food-based Japanese dietary guidelines and prevalence of poor oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) using a restricted cubic spline logistic regression model. Poor OHRQoL is defined as a score ≤ 50 on a validated Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). Solid lines represent OR, and dashed lines represent 95 % CI. We calculated OR for the prevalence of poor OHRQoL by using the first quartile value of 43·3 points as the reference. This analysis included 7902 participants. We estimated that P < 0·05 and P ≥ 0·05 when the 95 % CI of the OR did not exceed 1·00 and exceeded 1·00, respectively. Analyses were adjusted for age, sex, population density, BMI, physical activity, smoking status, alcohol intake status, educational attainment, medication use, living alone, socio-economic status, green tea consumption, coffee consumption, history of disease (hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, heart disease and stroke), denture use, poor mastication, dry mouth, choking accidents, regular dental check-up and daily tooth brushing.

Fig. 2.

Relationship between score for adherence to the food-based Japanese dietary guidelines and scores of the total and subdomains for the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) by a restricted cubic spline model. Oral status was evaluated using the (a) total score, (b) physical functioning score, (c) psychosocial functioning, and (d) pain and discomfort via a validated GOHAI. Solid lines represent mean, and dashed lines represent 95 % CI. This analysis included 7902 participants. Analyses were adjusted for age, sex, population density, BMI, physical activity, smoking status, alcohol intake status, educational attainment, medication use, living alone, socio-economic status, green tea consumption, coffee consumption, history of disease (hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, heart disease and stroke), denture use, poor mastication, dry mouth, choking accidents, regular dental check-up and daily tooth brushing.

Associations between the prevalence of poor OHRQoL and the score for adherence to each component of the food-based Japanese dietary guidelines are shown in Table 4. In the multivariate logistic analyses, there was a significant inverse association of the participants with higher scores for adherence to the consumption recommendations for vegetables, fruits, and snacks and alcohol with the OR of poor OHRQoL compared with those in the bottom Q in Model 3. However, there was no significant association between poor OHRQoL and adherence score for other components.

Table 4.

Multivariable logistic regression analyses of the prevalence of poor oral health-related quality of life according to the components of the score for adherence to the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top

(Odd ratios and 95 % confidence intervals)

	Quartile of the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top score
	Q1 (n 1996)		Q2 (n 1996)		Q3 (n 1996)		Q4 (n 1996)		1 point increment
	OR	95 % CI	OR	95 % CI	OR	95 % CI	OR	95 % CI	OR	95 % CI	P for trend *
Grain dishes
Poor OHRQoL case
n	632		598		587		599
%	31·7		30·0		29·4		30·0
Model 1†	1·00	Ref	0·92	0·80, 1·05	0·88	0·76, 1·00	0·87	0·76, 1·00	0·98	0·96, 1·00	0·027
Model 2‡	1·00	Ref	0·92	0·80, 1·06	0·88	0·77, 1·01	0·88	0·76, 1·01	0·98	0·96, 1·00	0·061
Model 3§	1·00	Ref	0·94	0·81, 1·09	0·90	0·77, 1·04	0·87	0·75, 1·01	0·98	0·96, 1·00	0·119
Vegetable dishes
Poor OHRQoL case
n	712		616		577		556
%	35·7		30·0		28·3		27·1
Model 1†	1·00	Ref	0·78	0·68, 0·89	0·70	0·61, 0·80	0·63	0·55, 0·73	0·93	0·92, 0·95	< 0·001
Model 2‡	1·00	Ref	0·80	0·70, 0·92	0·74	0·64, 0·85	0·71	0·61, 0·82	0·94	0·92, 0·96	< 0·001
Model 3§	1·00	Ref	0·84	0·72, 0·97	0·78	0·67, 0·91	0·77	0·65, 0·90	0·96	0·94, 0·98	< 0·001
Fish and meat dishes
Poor OHRQoL case
n	605		630		597		584
%	30·3		31·6		29·9		29·3
Model 1†	1·00	Ref	1·12	0·98, 1·28	1·07	0·93, 1·22	1·04	0·91, 1·19	1·00	0·99, 1·02	0·726
Model 2‡	1·00	Ref	1·08	0·94, 1·24	1·02	0·89, 1·18	1·00	0·87, 1·15	1·00	0·99, 1·02	0·649
Model 3§	1·00	Ref	1·06	0·90, 1·22	1·04	0·90, 1·22	0·99	0·85, 1·15	1·00	0·98, 1·01	0·565
Milk
Poor OHRQoL case
n	677		643		524		572
%	33·9		32·2		26·3		28·7
Model 1†	1·00	Ref	0·98	0·86, 1·12	0·73	0·63, 0·84	0·81	0·70, 0·92	0·97	0·96, 0·98	< 0·001
Model 2‡	1·00	Ref	1·00	0·87, 1·15	0·78	0·67, 0·90	0·87	0·76, 1·01	0·98	0·96, 0·99	0·009
Model 3§	1·00	Ref	0·99	0·85, 1·14	0·84	0·72, 0·98	0·93	0·80, 1·08	0·99	0·97, 1·00	0·162
Fruits
Poor OHRQoL case
n	719		658		522		517
%	36·0		33·0		26·2		25·9
Model 1†	1·00	Ref	0·88	0·77, 1·00	0·61	0·54, 0·71	0·59	0·52, 0·68	0·93	0·92, 0·95	< 0·001
Model 2‡	1·00	Ref	0·93	0·82, 1·07	0·68	0·59, 0·78	0·70	0·60, 0·80	0·94	0·92, 0·96	< 0·001
Model 3§	1·00	Ref	0·93	0·81, 1·08	0·74	0·64, 0·87	0·75	0·64, 0·88	0·96	0·94, 0·98	< 0·001
Total energy
Poor OHRQoL case
n	625		584		583		624
%	31·3		29·3		29·2		31·3
Model 1†	1·00	Ref	1·04	0·90, 1·21	1·02	0·86, 1·20	1·07	0·90, 1·26	1·02	0·95, 1·09	0·613
Model 2‡	1·00	Ref	0·99	0·85, 1·15	0·94	0·79, 1·12	1·02	0·86, 1·22	1·00	0·93, 1·07	0·799
Model 3§	1·00	Ref	0·91	0·77, 1·07	0·88	0·73, 1·06	0·94	0·78, 1·13	0·95	0·88, 1·03	0·186
Snacks and alcoholic beverages
Poor OHRQoL case
n	715		595		514		592
%	35·8		29·8		25·8		29·7
Model 1†	1·00	Ref	0·77	0·67, 0·88	0·62	0·54, 0·71	0·76	0·67, 0·87	0·90	0·86, 0·94	< 0·001
Model 2‡	1·00	Ref	0·83	0·73, 0·96	0·70	0·61, 0·81	0·89	0·77, 1·02	0·93	0·89, 0·98	0·003
Model 3§	1·00	Ref	0·87	0·75, 1·00	0·75	0·64, 0·87	0·86	0·74, 1·00	0·94	0·90, 0·99	0·013
Ratio of white to red meat
Poor OHRQoL case
n	607		566		666		577
%	30·4		28·4		33·4		28·9
Model 1†	1·00	Ref	0·91	0·80, 1·05	1·11	0·97, 1·27	0·90	0·78, 1·03	1·00	0·98, 1·02	0·918
Model 2‡	1·00	Ref	0·94	0·82, 1·09	1·09	0·95, 1·25	0·97	0·84, 1·12	1·00	0·98, 1·02	0·670
Model 3§	1·00	Ref	0·93	0·80, 1·09	1·07	0·92, 1·24	0·97	0·84, 1·13	1·00	0·98, 1·02	0·736

All values are expressed as numbers (%) or relative OR (95 % CI). All estimates were derived from the multivariable logistic regression model. Poor OHRQoL is defined as a score ≤ 50 on a validated GOHAI. Bold P-values are statistically significant (P < 0·05). The food score ranges in Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 are as follows: < 7·1, 7·1–8·9, 9·0–9·8 and ≥ 9·9 score for grain dishes, respectively; < 2·7, 2·7–4·3, 4·4–6·4 and ≥ 6·5 score for vegetable dishes, respectively; < 4·7, 4·7–7·7, 7·8–9·7 and ≥ 9·8 score for fish and meat dishes, respectively; < 0·6, 0·6–5·2, 5·3–7·7 and ≥ 7·8 score for milk, respectively; < 1·3, 1·3–3·1, 3·2–5·5 and ≥ 5·6 score for fruits, respectively; < 8·8, 8·8–9·3, 9·4–9·8 and ≥ 9·9 score for total energy intake, respectively; < 8·7, 8·7–9·5, 9·6–9·8 and ≥ 9·9 score for snacks and alcohol beverages, respectively; and < 5·8, 5·8–8·9, 9·0–9·8 and ≥ 9·9 score for white to red meat ratio, respectively. OHAI, Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index; OHRQoL, oral health-related quality of life; Ref, reference.

^*Linear trend P-values were calculated by using the likelihood ratio test and a continuous variable of adherence score.

^†Model 1 was adjusted for age, sex and population density.

^‡Model 2 was model 1 plus adjustment for BMI, moderate physical activity, smoking status, alcohol status, education, medications, living alone, socio-economic status, green tea consumption, coffee consumption and history of disease (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia, heart disease and stroke).

^§Model 3 was model 2 plus mutual adjustment for denture use, poor mastication, dry mouth, choking accidents, regular dental check-up and daily tooth brushing.

Discussion

Our study showed an inverse association between the score for adherence to the food-based Japanese dietary guidelines and prevalence of poor OHRQoL. Participants with higher adherence scores for vegetables, fruits, and snacks and alcohol had a lower prevalence of poor OHRQoL. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to verify the association between OHRQoL (including subdomains such as psychosocial and pain and discomfort) and adherence to dietary guidelines in community-dwelling older adults. Our results may corroborate the essential role of adherence to dietary guidelines on oral health.

Our results showed that higher scores for adherence to the food-based Japanese dietary guidelines were inversely associated with the prevalence of poor OHRQoL even after adjustment for potential confounding variables such as oral hygiene and function (model 3). In addition, our results showed that scores for adherence to vegetable and fruit consumption recommendations of the food-based Japanese dietary guidelines were inversely associated with poor OHRQoL. We have previously shown that the consumption of green tea⁽⁹⁾, fruits and vegetables⁽¹⁰⁾ were inversely related to poor OHRQoL in older people. We speculated that because these types of food are rich in antioxidants, they may contribute to better oral health. The deficiencies of antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, and E, Cu, and Fe may attenuate the anti-inflammatory and immune responses of oral tissues⁽³³⁾. However, our results did not substantially change after adjustment for intake of nutrients such as folates and vitamin C, which was positively correlated with adherence scores, indicating that its effect may be weak. In a previous clinical study, compared with non-vegetarians, vegetarians had better oral health, including less periodontal damage and fewer inflammation signs⁽³⁴⁾. In comparison with a non-vegan diet consumption, the consumption of a vegan diet (emphasising plant-based foods while minimising animal products) was associated with a lower ratio of the species associated with periodontal disease in the salivary microbiota⁽³⁵⁾. These mechanisms by healthy dietary pattern may explain the effect of adherence to dietary guidelines on oral health, as shown in the present study. In addition, our results showed that adherence to the food-based Japanese dietary guidelines was positively associated with the scores of oral health subdomains such as psychosocial and pain and discomfort. Interventional and basic research is needed to elucidate these detailed mechanisms. Thus, the beneficial effects of adherence to the food-based Japanese dietary guidelines may be strongly related to overall diet quality rather than a specific nutrient intake.

This study showed an association between the score for adherence to snack and alcohol consumption recommendations of the food-based Japanese dietary guidelines and OHRQoL in older adults. The quantity of sugar derived from snacks and confectionery contributes to approximately 30 % of total sugar intake in Japanese adults⁽³⁶⁾. The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey has shown that a high consumption of sugar is associated with a greater prevalence of periodontal disease⁽³⁷⁾, because it may contribute to the chronic systemic inflammation observed in periodontal disease. It may be important to restrict sugar intake to maintain oral health⁽¹¹⁾. However, some types of sugars are also contained in fruits and vegetables⁽³⁶⁾, and the effects of sugar derived from these fruits and vegetables on oral health are unclear. Swedish children who consumed invert sugar (a mixture of glucose and fructose) converted by enzymatic isomerisation using glucose isomerase to replace sucrose tended to have a lower caries increment for 2 years⁽³⁸⁾. A well-designed study is required to confirm whether different types of sugars have different effects on oral health in older adults because the previous study was conducted among children.

Older adults with dentures tend to avoid some types of food due to chewing difficulties, and they have been reported to have lower dietary quality than those without dentures⁽³¹⁾. This study showed the effect of adherence score on OHRQoL in older adults both with and without denture use. Therefore, it is important to advise older adults on how to obtain an adequate diet from food that is easy to chew and swallow to improve diet quality among people with poor oral health⁽¹⁾. For example, chewing difficulty has been associated with vegetable consumption more than fruit consumption⁽³⁹⁾; therefore, older adults with poor mastication may be advised to consume the required macro- and micronutrients from fruits rather than vegetables. Although a causal relationship between adherence score and poor OHRQoL has not been established, dietary intervention by adherence to dietary guidelines for various foods may be the most reasonable and cost-effective method for reducing the risk of poor OHRQoL. Therefore, a well-designed prospective study that further evaluates the essential role of adherence to dietary guidelines on oral health is required.

Our study has several strengths. This study used population-based data from both older men and older women. In addition, the OHRQoL assessment questionnaire and dietary questionnaire have been widely used and validated. However, there are several limitations to the present study. First, a cross-sectional design was used. Although our results indicated the effect of adherence to the food-based Japanese dietary guidelines on OHRQoL, it is just as plausible that OHRQoL drives diet quality. Therefore, no temporal and direct causal relationship between the prevalence of poor OHRQoL and adherence to the food-based Japanese dietary guidelines can be inferred, and it is necessary to re-evaluate these results in a well-designed prospective study. Second, the participants may have been more aware of health issues than the general population because there was survival bias due to the inclusion of those who survived at the time of analysis. Third, a self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the adherence to the food-based Japanese dietary guidelines and prevalence of poor OHRQoL. A possible misclassification of the population at risk may have occurred because self-reporting bias cannot be avoided. Finally, although we adjusted for several participant characteristics and lifestyle-related factors, it may have been inadequate to adjust for all potential confounding factors, particularly oral health-related factors. The number of natural teeth and information about fillings and crown and tooth extraction could not be obtained for this study, because the oral examinations were not performed by dental professionals. Of the recommended factors for dental caries and periodontal disease prevention among older adults⁽¹¹⁾, the models were adjusted for smoking, dry mouth and daily tooth brushing, but they could not be adjusted for oral health-related variables such as assessment of periodontitis and dental caries, supplemental fluoridation use, and daily dental flossing. In Japan, the 8020 campaign was launched in 1989; its aim was to retain more than 20 natural teeth until the age of 80 years to ensure satisfactory mastication abilities⁽⁴⁰⁾. This objective has been attained for more than 50 % of the people that were included in the Japan Dental Diseases Survey in 2016^(40,41). Although the concentration of fluoride in drinking water is limited to a maximum of 0·8 mg/l in Japan⁽⁴²⁾, the market share of fluoride dentifrice has increased dramatically from 12 % (1985) to 91 % (2015)⁽⁴⁰⁾. It is needed to evaluate parameters such as oral examinations by dental professionals and supplemental fluoridation use. However, even after adjusting for various participant characteristics, the significant associations observed in this study were not changed substantially. In addition, our results were similar after participants with diseases such as stroke, heart disease, diabetes and hyperlipidaemia were excluded.

Oral health is a fundamental component of physical and mental well-being and contributes to the quality of life and systemic health of older adults⁽⁴³⁾. The Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top is useful for nutritional guidance and education to attract individuals with little interest in diet because it may be easily put into practice in life by presenting a quantitative reference for the daily diet in a straightforward fashion⁽¹⁴⁾. Given that overall diet quality scores have been proven to be better predictors of health than any individual dietary component⁽⁴⁴⁾, our results may provide useful insights for the improvement and maintenance of oral health by adherence to the food-based Japanese dietary guidelines in older adults.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that a higher score for adherence to the food-based Japanese dietary guidelines is inversely associated with the prevalence of poor OHRQoL in community-dwelling older adults. Our findings could have useful public health and clinical relevance for diet and oral health. Future studies are required to further evaluate if there is a causal association.