Dental biorhythm is associated with adolescent weight gain

Background

Evidence of a long-period biological rhythm present in mammalian hard tissue relates to species average

body mass. Studies have just begun to investigate the role of this biorhythm in human physiology.

Methods

The biorhythm is calculated from naturally exfoliated primary molars for 61 adolescents. We determine

if the timing relates to longitudinal measures of their weight, height, lower leg length and body mass

collected over 14 months between September 2019 to October 2020. We use univariate and multivariate

statistical analyses to isolate and identify relationships with the biorhythm.

Results

Participants with a faster biorhythm typically weigh less each month and gain significantly less weight

and mass over 14-months, relative to those with a slower biorhythm. The biorhythm relates to sex

differences in weight gain.

Conclusions

We identify a previously unknown factor that associates with the rapid change in body size that

accompanies human adolescence. Our findings provide a basis from which to explore novel

relationships between the biorhythm and weight-related health risks.