Abstract:
Abstract Background: While the impact of nutritional composition on adolescent obesity is well-documented, the role of food's physical properties, such as texture and chewiness, remains under- investigated. Furthermore, the current literature lacks sufficient data on whether the association between oral processing and weight status varies by demographic factors. This study aimed to explore the associations between the amount of food consumed at different chewing levels and weight status in a national sample of adolescents, with a specific focus on potential sex-based differences.
Methods: A secondary analysis of Food Frequency Questionnaire data from the 2015-2016 Israeli National Youth Health and Nutrition Survey was conducted. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between grams of food consumed at each chewing level, on a scale from 0 (representing liquid foods) to 4 (representing hard foods) and weight status, based on BMI z-scores, while adjusting for age, sex, socioeconomic status, total daily energy intake, and ethnicity.
Results: A total of 3,428 participants (mean age 15.2±1.6, 1557 males) were included. Of them, 32.0% were classified with overweight/obesity (528 males and 570 females). In adjusted logistic regression models, each 10-grams increase in food intake at chewing levels 0-4 was associated with a 0.1% to 0.8% increase in the odds of overweight/obesity (BMI-z-score≥1 SD) among females. Joinpoint regression analysis identified a significantly positive trend in these associations with a positive slope (β > 0) and p value = 0.02. Similar associations were observed among males, but in a less consistent manner, and the positive trend did not reach statistically significance (p value = 0.17).
Conclusions: Our analysis reveals a significant, graded association between the consumption of harder food textures and increased prevalence of overweight/obesity in adolescents, independent of energy intake. Notably, this association is stronger in females, highlighting a potential sex- specific mechanism in the regulation of body weight via food texture. These findings suggest that considering food texture may inform future dietary strategies for weight management, particularly when considering sex-specific needs.
research focuses on chewing features, eating behaviors, and weight status in children and adolescents. Beyond academia, Tzach serves as a Clinical Dietitian at Sheba Medical Center, specializing in pediatric and sports nutrition, and volunteers with Special Olympics.
