The effect of unhealthy dietary habits on the incidence of dental caries and overweight/obesity among Egyptian school children (A cross-sectional study)

Abstract

BackgroundObesity and dental caries are public health problems in Egypt. Factors such as unhealthy diet, poor oral hygiene, and physical inactivity can play a major role in both problems. This study was carried out to illuminate the mutual unhealthy dietary risk factors associated with the incidence of both health conditions.MethodsBetween 1 October 2020 and 1 July 2021, 369 Egyptian children (5–10 years) were examined. Dental status was assessed using decayed, missing/extracted, and filled tooth indices (dmft, deft, and DMFT) for deciduous, mixed, and permanent dentitions, respectively. Moreover, the lifestyle, food habits, and body mass index (BMI) were recorded.ResultsA total of 342 (93.7%) of the included subjects suffered from caries, and only 27(7.3%) were caries-free. Based on BMI percentiles, 247 (66.9%) of the youngsters were overweight/obese, while 122 (33.1%) had normal weight. The mean dmft was 6.9 (±4.6), deft 4.2 (±3.3), and DMFT 0.1 (±1.7). In the primary dentition, a significant positive correlation was detected between dmft and BMI, legumes, sweetened milk and juice, soft drinks, and desserts, while a significant negative correlation was detected between dmft/deft, meat/poultry/fish, fresh fruits, and vegetables. A significant positive correlation was detected between deft and BMI, sweetened milk and juice, ice cream, candies, and crackers. In the permanent dentition, a significant positive correlation was detected between age, soft drinks, sweetened juice, desserts, and DMFT, while a significant negative correlation was detected with fresh fruits and vegetables. BMI was significantly negatively correlated with a healthy lifestyle, meat/poultry/fish consumption, and fresh fruits and vegetables while positively correlated with legumes, ice cream, soft drinks, granulated sugars, desserts, fast food, and caffeinated drinks.ConclusionOverweight/obesity was positively correlated with primary dentition dental caries. Desserts (sweetened snacks) and soft drinks could be the common risk factors associated with high caries and overweight/obesity incidence among Egyptian school children; conversely, consumption of fruits and vegetables could hinder both health conditions. Moreover, sweetened juices were associated with primary and permanent dental caries.

Demographic dynamics and the changing faces of nutrition literacy in India: A tryst with the transition among communities over two decades

“…Micronutrient deficiency has also been linked with periodontitis. [ 29 30 31 ] However, with the rise in multiple facets of the nutrition problems, and more specifically relating to obesity and dental problems, the recommendations and education, needs to be started early during school days. Studies have shown a positive association between obesity and primary dentition caries.…”

“…It’s no more how much you can take; rather, it depends more on how better it can be digested and how promptly we can choose the best dietary options. [ 29 32 , 33 ]…”

Perspective: The Benefits of Including Flavored Milk in Healthy Dietary Patterns

“…A cross-sectional study conducted in Canadian preschoolers that utilized FFQs submitted by children’s parents indicated that flavored milk was a leading contributor of free sugars to the children’s diets; it contributed 3.1% of total energy [ 36 ], which fell within recommendations from the WHO [ 35 ]. Another cross-sectional analysis conducted in Egyptian children ages 5–10 y that aimed to assess relationships between dietary habits, overweight and obesity, and dental carries, also by utilizing FFQs submitted by children’s parents, indicated an association between sweetened milk consumption and dental carries [ 37 ]. Unfortunately, the statistical analysis did not include adjustments for lifestyle factors, only for age and gender, making it difficult to determine the strength of the observed relationship.…”

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