ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Obese individuals may have impaired oral sensory functioning and abnormal oral motor function, a consequence of fat deposition in muscles. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the oral motor function in obese individuals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three observational cross-sectional studies were performed. In total, 140 participants were evaluated: (1) orofacial myofunctional evaluation (OMES) was performed in 26 obese and 26 control subjects; (2) time taken for suction of 50 ml of water through straws of 3 mm and 6 mm of diameter was measured in 30 obese and 30 control subjects; (3) the oral phase of swallowing of 5 ml moderately thick and 5 ml extremely thick boluses was analysed by videofluoroscopy in 14 obese and 14 control subjects. Obese and non-obese control subjects had body mass index ≥40 kg/m2 and <30 kg/m2 , respectively. RESULTS: Obese subjects had worse oral myofunctional evaluation scores in posture/appearance (lips, jaw, cheeks, tongue and hard palate), in mobility (lips, tongue, jaw and cheeks) and in breathing, deglutition and mastication functions (p ≤ .020). The OMES total score was 73.5 ± 5.5 in obese and 92.8 ± 3.7 in controls subjects (p < .001). There was no difference between the groups in the time taken for 50 ml of water suction through the 3-mm- or 6-mm-diameter straw. Videofluoroscopic evaluation of the bolus swallowed demonstrated a longer oral preparation time in obese individuals for both boluses (p ≤ .040) and no difference in oral transit time (p ≥ .140). CONCLUSION: A moderate change in oral motor function was observed in obese individuals with BMI ≥40 kg/m2 .
Subject(s)
Deglutition , Tongue , Cross-Sectional Studies , Deglutition/physiology , Humans , Obesity/complications , WaterABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Obesity is an important problem of public health with increasing prevalence in the population. The diagnosis is made based on body mass index (BMI) levels; the objective of this study was to determine whether the measurement of the neck circumference may be an option to differentiate non-obese from obese individuals. METHOD: Neck circumference was measured using a graduated tape over the thyroid cartilage, in 50 non-obese individuals (66% women) and 97 obese individuals (65% women), diagnosed by BMI. RESULTS: Neck circumference was higher for obese than for non-obese individuals and higher in men than in women. The values of neck circumferences greater than 42 cm for men and 36 cm for women were associated with obesity, with high sensitivity (98%) and specificity (96%). There is a positive association between neck circumference with weight and BMI in women. Age has a negative correlation with BMI in obese individuals. Obese women have less height than non-obese. CONCLUSION: Neck circumference can differentiate obese from non-obese individuals, with high sensitivity and specificity. It is higher in obese than in non-obese individuals, higher in men than in women, and is associated with the grade of obesity.
OBJETIVO: A obesidade é um importante problema de saúde pública, com crescente prevalência na população. O diagnostico é fundamentado no índice de massa corporal (IMC). No entanto, a circunferência do pescoço pode ser uma alternativa para diferenciar obesos de não obesos. MÉTODO: Circunferência do pescoço foi medida sobre a cartilagem cricóide, usando uma fita graduada, em 50 indivíduos não obesos (66% mulheres) e 97 indivíduos obesos (65% mulheres) diagnosticados pelo IMC. RESULTADOS: A circunferência do pescoço foi maior em obesos comparados aos não obesos, e maior nos homens quando comparados às mulheres. Medidas acima de 42 cm para homens e 36 cm para mulheres foram associados à obesidade, com alta sensibilidade (98%) e especificidade (96%). Nas mulheres houve associação positiva entre os valores da circunferência do pescoço com o peso e o IMC. Nas pessoas obesas houve correlação negativa entre idade e IMC. A altura das mulheres obesas foi menor do que a das mulheres não obesas. CONCLUSÕES: A medida da circunferência do pescoço pode diferenciar pessoas obesas de não obesas, com alta sensibilidade e especificidade. Ela é maior em obesos que não obesos, maior em homens do que em mulheres, e é associada com o grau de obesidade.
