Evolution of Food Oral Processing Behaviours, Food Bolus Formation and Texture Preferences Between 6 to 12 Years Old and Adult Age

Rôle de la Texture Des Aliments et du Comportement Masticatoire Dans Les propriétés du Bol Alimentaire et la Perception Sensorielle Chez Les Enfants d'âge Scolaire (6 à 12 Ans) en Comparaison à un Groupe Adulte

This cross sectional study investigates how the oral physiological changes during the period of dental transition (6-12 years old) influence on texture preferences, food oral processing behaviour and food bolus properties, for different foods varying in texture and in comparison to the adult population.

Rationale:

Eating behaviour develops during childhood, shaping dietary habits that, in the long term, contribute to growth and health. The development of masticatory function during this period plays an important role in food preferences for different textures and in consumption during meals. Furthermore, chewing transforms food into a bolus for swallowing, and the physical properties of this bolus play a role in digestion and nutrient release. To date, very little data exists on bolus formation in children. The period from 6 to 12 years of age is an important period of maturation of masticatory function, during which the 20 primary teeth are gradually replaced by 28 permanent teeth. The impact of this dental transition on children's eating behavior and nutrition is currently poorly understood.

Objective:

The purposes of this study will to determine (1) how food texture preference, oral processing behaviour and food bolus properties evolve in children during the dental transition period and in comparison to adults (2) how these variables are associated with each other (3) how they are predicted from individual oral physiology (dentition, tongue strength, masticatory performance), food familiarity and parent-reported appetitive traits parameters.

Study design :

Ninety children (n=30 per theoretical stage of mixed dentition (first transitional stage: 6-8 years, inter-transitional stage: 8-10 years, and second transitional stage: 10-12 years)) and 30 adults (25-35 years) will be recruited . Their dentition and oral abilities (tongue strength and masticatory performance) will be characterized. Their oral processing behaviour (duration, number of chews and Oro-sensory exposure time) while consuming different foods (standard pieces of carrot, rice, cheese and biscuit) will be studied using video recordings. Food boluses will then be collected at the time of corresponding to swallowing (swallowing threshold) and characterized for their particles size and number, saliva uptake, and hardness. Texture preferences of all participants, as well as familiarity with the studied foods and the children's appetitive traits will be characterized using questionnaires.

Study population: Healthy children aged 6-8 (n=30), 8-9 (n=30), 10-12 (n=30) years old and 30 adults aged 25-35 years old. Exclusion criteria : dental and orthodontic treatment ongoing

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being aged between 6 and 12 years old included or between 25 and 35 years old Being consumers of carrot, comté cheese, rice and biscuit

Exclusion Criteria:

• No French social security coverage
• Ongoing orthodontic and/or dental treatment
• Oral motor difficulties
• Food allergies
• Diabetes