The effect of aging and dental status on the frequency of eating out

Although many studies have investigated the effect of impaired dentition on eating habits and social expression, very few studies have evaluated the effect of age and dental status on the frequency of eating out, which was the purpose of the present study. A sample of 161 community-dwelling adults aged between 20 and 94 years of age was interviewed and then clinically examined to record dental and denture status. The bivariate analyses revealed that those who were eating out less often were more likely older, widowed, pensioners, with elementary or less than elementary education, suffering from hypertension, overweight or obese, with bad self-rated health, complaining for xerostomia, with difficulties chewing hard food and with fewer natural teeth. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified as significant predictors for less frequently eating out older age and low educational level. These results suggest that in the particular cultural environment the dental status is not an independent predictor of the frequency of eating out, but other biological and social factors play a more significant role.