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Yomiuri Shimbun
4 days ago
- Health
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Fast-eating Kids with Low Chewing Ability Prone to Obesity
OSAKA (Jiji Press) — Eating fast without chewing much may result in obesity among elementary school students, a Japanese research team has found. It has already been known that fast-eating adults with poor chewing performance are prone to obesity. But little known was a relation between eating habits and masticatory performance among children. In their research, Kazunori Ikebe, professor at the University of Osaka's Graduate School of Dentistry, and colleagues assessed eating habits of 1,403 fourth graders in the city of Osaka via questionnaires and measured their chewing performance using a color-changing gum. Of the study participants, 167 students were classified into the obesity group. Then the researchers found through the comparison between the obesity and non-obesity groups that children with a weaker ability to chew were 1.54 times more prone to obesity, fast eaters 1.73 times more and those who eat with their mouth full 1.29 times more. 'In 9- to 10-year-old children, eating fast, eating with mouth full, and lower masticatory performance were linked to obesity, particularly in boys,' they said. 'Furthermore, the association with obesity was higher when eating fast and lower masticatory performance were combined.' Highlighting the significance of the finding that child obesity is linked to both eating habits and chewing performance, Ikebe said, 'I want to see if there are any changes [in obesity factors] as children get older.' The research was published in the Journal of Dentistry in March.
Japan Times
26-05-2025
- Health
- Japan Times
Study links poor chewing to higher obesity risk in children
Children who chew poorly and eat quickly are significantly more likely to be obese, according to a study by researchers at the University of Osaka's Graduate School of Dentistry. The study, which surveyed more than 1,400 fourth-grade students, is among the first to demonstrate a clear link between eating behavior and obesity risk in children specifically. The findings were published in an international medical journal in March. The research team, including professor Kazunori Ikebe, assessed the chewing ability of 1,403 elementary school students in the city of Osaka during fiscal 2023. Participants were asked to chew a specially designed piece of gum, with researchers analyzing the color mixing and saliva output to gauge masticatory performance. The students also completed a questionnaire on their eating habits, which was then analyzed against their obesity levels. The study found that 167 children, or about 12% of the total, were classified as obese. Researchers calculated the odds ratios to assess risk: children with low chewing ability were 1.5 times more likely to be obese compared with their peers. Those who ate quickly had a 1.73 times greater risk, and those who routinely stuffed their mouths while eating had a 1.29 times higher likelihood. Notably, children who both ate quickly and had poor chewing ability showed a strong correlation with obesity across both sexes. Among boys, the odds of being obese were three times higher than those of other students. 'Both chewing ability and eating behavior are clearly linked to childhood obesity,' Ikebe said. 'Going forward, we'd like to monitor how these factors evolve as children grow.' Translated by The Japan Times
