Association between temporomandibular disorders and obesity

Area of Science:

• Health Sciences
• Epidemiology
• Nutrition Science

Background:

• Psychological stress influences eating behaviors.
• Existing research suggests a link between temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and psychological stress.
• TMD may impact metabolic health and body composition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between TMD and body mass index (BMI).
• To investigate the relationship between TMD and obesity indicators in a large South Korean population.
• To explore potential sex-based differences in the TMD-obesity relationship.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES).
• Analyzed a large, representative sample of the South Korean population.
• Compared individuals with and without TMD regarding BMI, waist circumference, and obesity prevalence.

Main Results:

• TMD was associated with a decreased prevalence of abdominal obesity in both men and women.
• Women with TMD exhibited lower age, BMI, metabolic syndromic waist circumference, and reduced prevalence of metabolic syndrome and diabetes.
• Men with TMD did not show statistically significant differences in BMI or waist circumference compared to controls, despite similar trends observed in women.

Conclusions:

• TMD is associated with decreased BMI and abdominal obesity, particularly in women.
• The findings suggest a potential link between TMD, metabolic health, and body composition, with notable sex differences.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the relationship between TMD and metabolic health indicators.