Association between Knowledge about Comprehensive Food Education and Increase in Dental Caries in Japanese University Students: A Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract

In Japan, comprehensive food education (shokuiku) programs are carried out with the aim of improving dietary practices and thereby reducing the incidence of lifestyle-related diseases, including dental caries. The purpose of this prospective cohort study was to investigate the association between knowledge about shokuiku and the increase in dental caries among Japanese university students who had attended a shokuiku program while in junior/senior high school. A total of 562 students volunteered to undergo oral examinations over a three-year follow-up period, during which the number of cases of dental caries were recorded. Additional information was collected using a questionnaire survey regarding knowledge about shokuiku, dietary habits, and oral health behaviors. In logistic regression analysis, males who lacked knowledge about shokuiku had significantly higher odds for dental caries than those who did not (odds ratio (OR), 2.00; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.12–3.58; p = 0.019). On the other hand, among females, those who frequently consumed sugar-sweetened soft drinks had significantly higher odds for dental caries than those who did not (OR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.05–3.42; p = 0.035). These results suggest that having no knowledge about shokuiku is associated with a risk of increase in dental caries in Japanese male university students.

Associations between caries experience, dietary habits, and metabolic syndrome in Japanese adults

“…performed oral examinations on the study participants. The number of teeth and DMFT index were recorded according to the World Health Organization criteria (14,15). Periodontal condition was assessed using the Community Periodontal Index (CPI) (16).…”

“…Comparison of characteristics among participants in each DMFT quartile group (n = 937) DMFT quartile groups: the range of DMFT of first quartile groups from 0 to 9; second quartile groups from 10 to 13; third quartile groups from14 to 17; fourth quartile groups from 18 to 28. b: Chi-square test (Direct method of Fisher) or Kruskal-Wallis test. c: male/female (percentage of female); d: not every day/every day (percentage of every day); e: not apply/apply (percentage of apply); f: absence/presence (percentage of presence).…”

Development of a Nutrition Questionnaire for Dental Caries Risk Factors

“…Other studies have also found that dietary behaviours generally known to be associated with dental caries are also common in university student populations. For example, Kunitomo et al [23] in a study focusing on oral health found that 24.2% of first year university students at a university in Japan consumed sugar-sweetened soft drinks frequently. In addition, Luebke and Driskell [24] found that 64.8% of students at a university in the USA reported consuming 12 oz of pop 1-3 times/week or more often.…”

“…One finding from our pilot study that was particularly noteworthy was that afternoon and evening snacks were the most commonly reported times of day for sugary food intake. Of note, Kunitomo et al [23] also found that 23.8% of first year university students at a university in Japan reported frequent snacking and/or eating at night although they did not investigate the types of foods eaten during this time. The consumption of sugary foods in the evening is an important finding as previous research has found that consumption of free sugars close to bed time has been found to be associated with dental caries in children.…”

The relationship between dental caries and carbohydrates intake among preschool-aged children in rural and urban areas

“…16 This condition was consistent with another research that showed a relationship between the consumption of sugar sweeten soft drinks with dental caries occurrence. 17 There was a difference in the average proportion of the amount of beverages taken by dental caries affected and dental cariesfree individual. Sugary supplementary food and beverages consumption frequency, such as juices, energy drinks, and other sweeten beverages were significantly higher in dental caries affected children than in caries-free children.…”