Masticatory handicap, socioeconomic status, and chronic conditions among adults.

Analysis of data from some 8,300 adults, ages 25-74, shows an inverse relationship between the probability of having a masticatory handicap and socioeconomic status: lower socioeconomic status is associated with higher probability of having a masticatory handicap. Further, adults with a masticatory handicap among the low socioeconomic group have significantly lower intakes, adjusted for age, gender, and body mass, of calories and some nutrients than the non-handicapped. In the former, there is also a higher probability of three dietary-related chronic conditions developing: hypertension, heart attack, and diabetes mellitus. A masticatory handicap appears to have little effect on nutrient intake or the development of the chronic conditions among the high socioeconomic group. The evidence suggests that masticatory handicap is an added risk factor among the low socioeconomic group for these chronic conditions.