Relationship between Masticatory Behaviors and Body Mass Index in Healthy Adults Using a Wearable Mastication Counter

This study investigated the relationship between masticatory behaviors, masticatory ability, and body mass index (BMI) in healthy adult males and females using a newly developed wearable mastication counter. A total of 106 healthy dentulous participants were included. Assessments during rice ball consumption evaluated mastication frequency, meal duration, mastication speed, masticatory ability, and the presence of fast-eating habits. Statistical analyses compared factors by sex and fast-eating habits and examined the relationships between BMI and these factors, with a 5% significance level. The results showed that BMI was significantly associated with sex, fast-eating habits, and mastication frequency. Females had higher mastication frequency and longer meal durations but mastication speed and lower masticatory ability compared with males. Additionally, participants in the fast-eating group exhibited higher BMI, lower mastication frequency, and shorter meal durations than those in the non-fast-eating group. In conclusion, BMI was associated with sex, fast-eating habit, and mastication frequency in this cross-sectional sample. Further longitudinal or interventional studies are needed to clarify causality.