RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of obesity is increasing significantly worldwide, raising great concern among health professionals. This observational study evaluated the electromyographic activity and thickness of the masseter and temporalis muscles, in addition to the maximum molar bite force, in obese and eutrophic subjects. METHODS: Sixty subjects were divided into three groups: I (7-12 years), II (13-20 years), III (21-40 years) and sex: with 10 men and 10 women for each group. Electromyographic recordings of the masticatory muscles were obtained during mandibular tasks. The masticatory muscles thicknesses were obtained at rest and during dental clenching. The maximum molar bite forces were measured on the right and left sides. The difference in outcome measures between the groups and sex was analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test (p < 0.05) and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). RESULTS: Electromyographic activity in the masseter and temporal muscles consistently displayed lower levels in obese subjects of both sexes across all three age groups during mandibular tasks. Additionally, greater thickness of the masticatory muscles was observed in obese subjects of both sexes across all three age groups. Obese women in Group II displayed higher values of molar bite force, both on the right and left sides, compared to eutrophic women. On the other hand, women in Group III exhibited higher values of molar bite force on the right side in comparison to eutrophic women. CONCLUSIONS: This study underscores the potential impact of obesity on the morphofunctional aspects of the stomatognathic system in subjects aged 7 to 40 years.
Asunto(s)
Músculos Masticadores , Músculo Temporal , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Fuerza de la Mordida , Electromiografía , Músculo Masetero/fisiología , Obesidad , Sistema Estomatognático , Músculo Temporal/fisiología , Niño , Adolescente , Adulto Joven , AdultoRESUMEN
In the last decades, head and face imaging has shifted from two-dimensional (2D) representations (conventional radiography, photography) to three-dimensional (3D) techniques that can better depict the complex morphology of this part of the body, since they can provide a large number of additional anthropometric information [1-3]. 3D imaging systems can be divided into volumetric (computed tomography, cone beam computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging) and optical surface instruments (laser scanning, moiré techniques, stereophotogrammetry, patterned light techniques) [4]. These last are safe and not invasive, and provide a 3D representation of the external (cutaneous) facial surface.