The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #43266

Sandra D. Saunders, RDH, MS, MPH¹, Mary L. Greaney, MPH², Faith D. Lees, MS², Geoffrey Greene, PhD³, Claudio R. Nigg, PhD⁴, and Phillip G. Clark, ScD⁵. (1) Dental Hygiene Program, The SENIOR Project, University of Rhode Island, 8 Washburn Hall, Kingston, RI 02881-2001, 401-874-4095, s.saunders@uri.edu, (2) The SENIOR Project, University of Rhode Island, 2 Chafee Road, Kingston, RI 02881, (3) Department of Food Science and Nutrition, The SENIOR Project, University of Rhode Island, Ranger Hall, Kingston, RI 02881, (4) Department of Public Health Science, University of Hawaii, 1960 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, (5) Program in Gerontology, University of Rhode Island, White Hall G-15, Kingston, RI 02881

Many older adults do not eat the recommended number of daily servings of fruits and vegetables. To determine if oral health and/or digestive concerns influence fruit and vegetable consumption, the relationships between dental health, digestive concerns, and stage of change for fruit and vegetable consumption, were examined. Study participants (N=444) were mostly female (74.3%), white (94%), had a mean age of 73.9 (SD=6.8), and a median household income less than 20,000 a year. Dental barriers assessed by “It’s hard to eat fruit and vegetables because of my teeth” were significantly associated with stage of change for fruit and vegetable consumption (X²=30.7,df=12, p=.002). Furthermore, dental barriers were associated with the servings of green salads eaten (X²=35.8, df=15, p=.002), but not with servings of fruit, fruit juice, potatoes, beans, or other vegetables consumed. ANOVAs determined that stage and dental barriers were each significantly associated with self-efficacy (six item scale) for fruit and vegetable consumption (p < 0.001). Participants also were asked about their confidence in their ability to eat fruit and vegetables when their teeth are giving them trouble. Tooth trouble was associated with stage of change (X²=32.4, df=12, p=.001). In addition, digestive barriers (upset stomach, diarrhea, gas, bloating, constipation) were significantly related to stage of change for fruit and vegetable consumption (p=.003). Implications for health promotion and education will be discussed.

Learning Objectives: By the end of the session, the participant will be able to

• Discuss the effect oral health and digestive concerns have on older adults’ consumption of fruits and vegetables.
• Recognize the importance of addressing oral health and digestive concerns in health promotion efforts designed to increase fruit and vegetable consumption.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.