Dietary and oral factors associated with eating slowly and chewing well: a National web-based study

Several studies have investigated manner of eating, such as "eating slowly" or "chewing well," to prevent being overweight and obese. In Japan, one of the goals of the "Basic Act on Shokuiku" (Food and Nutrition Education), is "to increase the number of people who eat slowly and chew their food well." Therefore, this cross-sectional study aimed to clarify the factors associated with eating slowly and chewing well. Survey forms were randomly distributed to national-based monitors from an online survey company by gender and for age group from the 40s to 70s. The survey included items on dietary and health behaviors (12 items), dental and oral conditions (14 items), and socioeconomic factors (6 items). A total of 1,644 people (822 men and women each) were evaluated using logistic regression analysis. For men and women in nearly all age groups, "eating slowly and chewing well" was associated with "savoring while eating" followed by "not eating with one's mouth full." It was also associated with the absence of bone loss around the teeth for men and the absence of toothache for women. Therefore, "eating slowly and chewing well" may be encouraged by "savoring food while eating."