Effect of obesity in children, adolescents and adults: analysis of the stomatognathic system, respiratory function and posture

Abstract

The prevalence of Obesity grows around the world and worries health professionals. The objective of this study was to perform an observational study on obese subjects (n=60) who will be divided into three groups: group I: children (7 to 11 years old; n=20); group II: adolescents (12 to 18 years old, n=20) and group III: adults (19 to 40 years old; n=20) matched by age, sex and height with 60 eutrophic individuals. The classification in eutrophic and obese individuals will be done through physical examination. Objective, subjective and behavioral aspects of the stomatognathic and respiratory systems, as well as postural parameters, dental health, occlusion and quality of life will be evaluated. The Delsys Trigno TM wireless electromyograph will be used for both the static and functional evaluation (habitual and non habitual chewing) of the masseter and temporal muscles. Evaluations of masticatory and life quality will be performed using specific questionnaires (QAQM, OHIP-14Br and SF-36). The pressure of the tongue and lips will be measured by the Iowa Oral Pressure Instrument (IOPI) and the maximum molar bite force will be used by the Kratos dynamometer. The contacts of occlusal forces (%) between the hemiarates and the first permanent molars (T-Scan® III) and muscle thickness (Nano Maxx SonoSite ultrasound) will be evaluated. Analysis of respiratory pressure (Gerar® analog manovacuometer), pulmonary function (Koko spirometer) and postural alteration (New York Scale) will also be performed. The data will be analyzed statistically (SPSS 22.0) considering an alpha of 5%. After application of normality test (Shapiro-Wilk) and observation of the QQ-plot graphs, will be performed parametric (ANOVA) and/or non-parametric (Kruskal-Wallis) statistics. The consolidation of this research project will contribute to clarify the influence of Obesity on the functions of the stomatognathic and respiratory systems, as well as posture and quality of life, generating knowledge for the scientific community favoring treatments and prognoses of individuals affected by this disease. (AU)