Abstract
Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the changes in weight, dietary habits, and daily activities in fixed orthodontic patients during the first trimester of orthodontic treatment.
Methods: This prospective cohort study was performed on patients referred to the dental clinics of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences who were candidates for fixed orthodontic therapy. The participants’ weights, the frequency of fruit and fast food use, and their daily activities were registered through questionnaires. The participants were followed for three months, and the same data were collected one month and three months after the start of treatment. Repeated measure tests were employed to examine statistical significance using SPSS 22 software.
Results: The samples consisted of 125 subjects, including 32 (25.6%) males and 93 (74.4%) females, with a mean age of 22.75±4.02 years old. Weight, fast food, and fruit intake significantly decreased in the first month after treatment compared to the first treatment session (P<0.001). At the third appointment, the mean weight, fast food/fruit consumption, and daily activities increased significantly in comparison to the first month of treatment. However, there was no significant difference between any of the parameters 3 months post-treatment or at baseline (P>0.05).
Conclusion: Fixed orthodontic treatment significantly reduced the average weight of patients and changed their eating habits during the first month of treatment, which all were retained to the baseline level in the following months. Considering the importance of a balanced diet, it is recommended that orthodontic-adaptive alternatives to nutrients be used in the early stages of orthodontic treatment.