| Summary: | 碩士 === 實踐大學 === 食品營養研究所 === 90 === The average life expectancy has increased in Taiwan over the past decades. Therefore, shifting demographic patterns and changes in modern lifestyles have affected health care in this country. In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the importance of nutrition, particularly in masticatory ability. Because a lack of masticatory ability may lead to an impaired nutritional status and result in shifting food selection patterns among the elderly. This study was conducted to determine whether significant relationships exist among the masticatory ability and dietary intake of older adults resided in both the nursing home and the community. Two hundred subjects were selected from both nursing home and community-based elderly. Food inventory record and 24-hour recall were employed to evaluate the nutritional status of the elderly. Masticatory ability was measured only in the community-based population. Three measurements were currently in use: those involving self evaluation of teeth condition, food texture and sugar residue of chewing gum. Biochemical analysis was also performed. There was no significant difference in total calorie consumption between the elderly based in the nursing home and the community. However, the total calorie consumption was lower than RDNA in Taiwan（1460 kcal, 85%RDNA）. Protein consumption was statistically higher in the community-based elderly than the nursing residents（60g vs. 46g）. Protein and lipids consumption were composed 13-16% and 30% of total calories, respectively. Dietary fatty acids, S:M:P（1:1.3:1.6）, and the ratio of n-6/n-3 was under 10. The results from three measurements revealed that poor masticator ability in the elderly has lower total calorie and protein intake than those of related — good elderly（p<0.05）, but fat was not significant. And the elder who had poor mastilatory ability had poor physiological status. In view of the large and increasing proportion of elderly in Taiwan, an understanding of how masticator ability affects the nutritional status of older adults may lead to more rational dietary approaches to the maintenance of health.
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