Chewing habits and masticatory performance are associated with obesity in 9- to 10-year-old children: A cross-sectional study from the Osaka MELON Study.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the relationships of masticatory performance and chewing habits with obesity in Japanese elementary school children.

Methods: The participants were 1,403 children aged 9-10 years in Osaka City. Chewing habits were assessed via questionnaires, and masticatory performance was measured using a color-changeable chewing gum.

Accuracy of newly developed color determination application for masticatory performance: Evaluating color-changeable chewing gum.

Purpose: Color-changeable chewing gums are used to evaluate masticatory performance, as measured by a colorimeter or visually based on a color scale. Although anyone can use a color scale, the evaluation accuracy depends on the evaluator. We develop an application that can determine the degree of color change in chewing gum using smartphone images, making color evaluation accurate and easy to measure.