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 processing effort, appetite and acute energy intake in lean and obese adults
Chewing reportedly contributes to satiation and satiety signals . Attempts to document and quantify this have led to small and inconsistent effects . The present trial manipulated oral processing effort though required chewing of gums of different hardness and measured appetitive sensations , energy intake , gastric emptying , GI transit time , and concentrations of glucose , insulin , GLP-1 , ghrelin and pancreatic polypeptide . Sixty adults classified by sex and BMI ( 15 each of lean females , obese females , lean males and obese males ) were tested in a r and omized , controlled , cross-over trial with three arms . They chewed nothing , soft gum or hard gum for 15 min while sipping grape juice ( 10 % of individual energy needs ) containing acetaminophen and lactulose on one day each separated by 7 days . Electromyographic recordings and self-reports were obtained during and after chewing to quantify oral processing effort . Blood was sample d through an indwelling catheter and appetite ratings were obtained at baseline and at 0 , 15 , 30 , 45 , 60 , 90 , 120 , 180 and 240 min after chewing initiation . Breath sample s were collected at 10 min intervals for the first 2h and at 30 min intervals for the next 2h . No effects of chewing were observed for appetitive sensations or gut peptide concentrations . Energy intake tended to decline in lean and increase in obese participants so that daily energy intake differed significantly between the two groups when chewing either gum , while no difference was observed on the non-chewing day . Serum glucose and insulin were significantly lower at selected time points 90 - 240 min after chewing compared to baseline and the non-chewing day . These data indicate chewing effort does not affect appetitive sensations or gut peptide secretion , but may exert a small differential effect on acute energy intake in lean and obese individuals and lead to greater post-pr and ial declines of serum glucose and insulin . The efficacy of gum chewing as a substitute for eating for weight management remains uncertain
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 .