Lack of relationship between masticatory performance and nutritional status in adults with natural dentition

• No relation between masticatory performance and nutritional status was detected.
• Being underweight is correlated with having a consistent preferred side for chewing.
• Obese subjects, with not only high values of BMI but also high values of body fat percentage, eat more rapidly than subjects without obesity.

ObjectiveThis study assessed the relation among several aspects of the masticatory function and the nutritional status in adults with natural dentition.DesignOne hundred adults with natural dentition participated in this cross-sectional study. They performed one free-style masticatory test consisting of five trials of 20 silicon-chewing cycles. The preferred chewing side was determined by calculating the asymmetry index. Masticatory performance was determined by sieving the silicon particles, and the cycle duration was also recorded. Weight, body water percentage, body fat mass, muscle mass and osseous mass were measured using a portable digital weighing machine. Body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio, skinfold thickness and the upper-arm composition were determined. The relation between masticatory function and a nutritional variable were tested using Pearson or Spearman rank correlation coefficients or using analysis of variance or the Kruskal–Wallis H-test and the Mann–Whitney U test, as appropriate.ResultsWhereas body fat percentages for women were significantly higher than for men, the body mass index was higher in men than in women. Participants who were underweight chewed more asymmetrically and more slowly than normal weight or obese participants. A negative correlation was observed between body fat percentage and masticatory laterality. No relation between masticatory performance and any nutritional status indicator was detected.ConclusionBeing underweight and having a low body fat percentage seem to be related to a masticatory lateral asymmetry and to a large cycle duration in young adults with natural dentition. Masticatory performance does not seem to be related to nutritional status.