title: Differences in eating behaviors and masticatory performances by gender and obesity status.
abstract: This study aimed to determine whether there might be differences in masticatory performance and eating behaviors by gender and obesity status. Forty eight (24 males; 24 females) non-obese and pre-obese young adults were matched for age, gender, and dental health. Eating behaviors were assessed using the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ), and chewing performance while eating 152g of boiled rice was measured using electromyography (EMG). Compared with non-obese participants, pre-obese participants had significantly higher levels of disinhibition according to the TFEQ (P<0.05 for males; P<0.01 for females). Microstructures of chewing performance were significantly different by gender but not by obesity status. Males had a greater bite size (P<0.05), greater chewing power (P<0.001) and a faster eating rate (P<0.05) than females. Females habitually chewed more (P<0.05) and had a longer meal duration (P<0.01) than males. Eating rate was positively associated with disinhibition (r=0.490, P<0.05) score in males. Bite size (r=-0.449, P<0.05 for non-obese) and chewing power (r=-0.581, P<0.01 for non-obese and r=-0.446, P<0.05 for pre-obese) were negatively associated with disinhibition score. Results suggest that the effects of gender and, in part, obesity on eating responses may be explained as chewing performance. Therefore, gender-specific interventions and counseling aimed at slowing the rate of ingestion could be promising behavioral treatments for obese persons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oriental Medical Food and Nutrition, Semyung University, Jecheon, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: sjpark@semyung.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Soojin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutrition, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Weon-Sun
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Shin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D004576:Electromyography; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology*; D008410:Masticatory Muscles / Q000502:physiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012275:Oryza; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Eating rate; Gender differences; Masticatory performance; Obesity; Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire