Conclusions Most studies revealed a positive association between mastication and obesity among adults .
Background A substantial number of adults suffer from obesity , that is caused by the risk factor , masticatory dysfunction .
The association between mastication and obesity , however , is inconclusive .
This systematic review aims to provide literature regarding the association between mastication and factors affecting masticatory function , and obesity in adults .
Oral status and its association with obesity in Southern Brazilian older people.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The loss of a functional dentition imposes eating difficulties and food avoidance , which may be detrimental in terms of nutritional status and health . The objective of this study was to investigate whether tooth loss and edentulism that were not rehabilitated with dental prostheses were associated with obesity among elderly in Southern Brazil . MATERIAL S AND METHODS A r and om sample of 872 independently living elderly was evaluated by means of a cross-sectional study . Socio-demographic , medical history and behaviour data were assessed using a st and ardised question naire . Two trained dentists assessed the  number of teeth and use of prostheses  in accordance with the WHO criteria . Height and weight were assessed and used to generate body mass index ( BMI = weight (kilos)/height (cm)(2 ) ) data . Participants were categorised into non-obese ( BMI < or= 30 ) or obese ( BMI > 30 ) . Multivariate logistic regression was used to model the relationship between number of teeth and use of dental prostheses with obesity adjusting for confounders . RESULTS Multivariate logistic regression revealed that edentulous persons wearing only upper dentures ( OR = 2.34 , 95 % CI 1.18 - 4.27 ) and dentate participants with one to eight teeth wearing 0-to-1 prosthesis ( OR = 2.96 , 95 % CI 1.68 - 5.19 ) were more likely to be obese . CONCLUSION The results show that a poorer oral status , represented by having fewer teeth that were not replaced by dental prostheses , was associated with obesity in Southern Brazil older people , suggesting a close relationship between poor oral status and systemic conditions that may have important clinical implication
Conclusions Most studies revealed a positive association between mastication and obesity among adults .
Background A substantial number of adults suffer from obesity , that is caused by the risk factor , masticatory dysfunction .
The association between mastication and obesity , however , is inconclusive .
This systematic review aims to provide literature regarding the association between mastication and factors affecting masticatory function , and obesity in adults .