Dietary diversity and life satisfaction as mediators in the relationship between oral health and depression among older adults in china: a cross-sectional study

Previous studies have demonstrated the relationship between oral health and depression in older adults. However, the specific effects and mechanisms of treatment require further investigation. Therefore, this study explored the mediating roles of dietary diversity and life satisfaction in the relationship between oral health and depression among older adults. Using data from the 2018 China Longitudinal Health and Longevity Study (CLHLS), the study participants were older adults aged 60 years and above, with a final sample size of 10,010 individuals. The severity of depression in older adults was assessed using the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10). A dietary diversity score was calculated based on the frequency of food intake. Pearson's correlation analysis is used to examine the connections between dental health, dietary diversity, life satisfaction, and depression levels. The Process 4.1 plugin model 6 in SPSS was used to analyze the mediating role of dietary diversity and life satisfaction in the relationship between oral health and depression levels. The frequency of tooth brushing, denture use, and the number of remaining teeth had statistically significant total effects on depression levels among older adults. Dietary diversity had a statistically significant direct effect on depression levels in relation to the number of remaining teeth. Dietary diversity and life satisfaction mediated the relationship between denture use and depression levels, as well as the relationship between brushing frequency and depression levels. Oral health improves and indirectly influences depression levels through dietary diversity and life satisfaction.