Associations Between Texture-Modified Food and Functional, Systemic, and Oral Health Among Older Adults

Background Older adults frequently experience age-related declines in oral and swallowing function that increase the risk of dysphagia and its associated complications, such as aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, and dehydration, and because of this, Texture-Modified Foods (TMFs) are widely used in clinical practice to facilitate safer oral intake and manage swallowing difficulties. This study examined the relationships between current dietary types and various health indicators in older adults residing in long-term care facilities in Korea. Method This study was conducted from March to September 2024 with older adults residing in a South Korean nursing home and an day care center. A total of 63 participants were classified into pureed/minced or regular diet groups. Key assessments included functional, systemic (sex, age, long-term care grade, activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, number of medications, inbody analysis, ambulatory status, and comorbidities), and oral health status (clinical oral dryness score, tongue moisture level, tooth count, swallowing function and tongue strength). Results The findings delineate several salient predictors that distinguish the consumption of regular diets from texture-modified diets among older Korean adults. Specifically, lower activities of daily living scores, fewer medications, the presence of abdominal obesity, greater skeletal muscle mass, measurable tongue strength, and a higher number of remaining teeth were significantly associated with regular diet intake. Conclusion This study presents important evidence of correlations between TMFs and systemic and oral health variables, underscoring the clinical value of incorporating ADL, number of medications, AFR, SMI, tooth count, and tongue strength into dietary management for older adults and emphasizing the role of oral care in supporting nutritional and functional health.