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영어

Purpose: This study explores the associations between chewing function, quality of life, and stress perception among older adults in South Korea. Methods: Data from the 9th National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2nd year (2023), of 1,308 elderly individuals aged 65 and over were analyzed, 575 of them female (44.0%) and 733 male (56.0%). By age group, there were 480 participants (36.7%) aged 65~69, 626 (47.9%) aged 70~79, and 202 (15.4%) aged 80 years or older. The data were analyzed with chi-square tests and logistic regression using SPSS (version 29.0, IBM). Results: The prevalence of chewing function discomfort significantly increased with age (p<0.001). Individuals who reported poor oral health also experienced significantly higher levels of chewing discomfort (p<0.001), among whom those who had difficulty working, felt depressed, had memory issues, or did not experience happiness showed significantly higher rates of discomfort (p<0.001). Conclusion: We found that chewing function discomfort significantly affects the quality of life and stress perception among the elderly, highlighting the need for integrated health interventions for improved chewing function to enhance their overall well-being.