Associations between Child Snack and Beverage Consumption, Severe Dental Caries, and Malnutrition in Nepal

Dados Bibliográficos

ID15498368
AutoresNeha Zahid (0000-0001-5272-6047, University of California, Berkeley, autor correspondente), Nehaa Khadka (0000-0002-5632-2434, University of California, Los Angeles), Madhurima Ganguly (University of California, San Francisco), Tanya Varimezova (University of California, San Francisco), Bathsheba Turton (0000-0001-5464-9305, University of Puthisastra), Laura Spero (0000-0003-3150-4706, Jevaia Foundation, Pokhara 33700, Nepal), Karen Sokal‐Gutierrez (0000-0001-7341-2266, University of California, Berkeley)
Ano2020
Volume17
Fascículo21
Páginas7911-7911
Data de publicação2020-10-28
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
EditoraMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph17217911
PMID33126647
OpenAlexW3097685215
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas7
Referências citadas46

The global nutrition transition and increased consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and ultra-processed snacks have contributed to increasing rates of child obesity and dental caries in developing countries. In Nepal, where child malnutrition rates are high, the relationship between malnutrition and dental caries is poorly understood. This cross-sectional study aims to assess this relationship among a convenience sample of 273 children age six months to less than 12 years in three communities in Nepal, using parent/caregiver interviews, child dental exams, and anthropometric measurements. Fisher's exact test and independent t-tests examined associations between dietary practices and severe caries and between severe caries and malnutrition, respectively. Children consumed sugar-sweetened beverages and processed snacks frequently: 80% consumed tea with sugar, 60% consumed sweet snacks, and 65% consumed processed savory snacks daily. Overall, 74% of children had untreated tooth decay, and 21% exhibited stunting malnutrition, 14% were underweight, and 6% presented wasting. Significant associations were found between daily consumption of sweets and processed snacks with severe caries and between severe caries and poorer nutritional status. These findings underscore the need to incorporate nutrition and oral health promotion and dental treatment into maternal-child health services and schools and to strengthen policies to reduce children's access to junk food

Anthropometry · Environmental health · Malnutrition · Nutrition transition · Obesity · Overweight · Underweight · Wasting · Child Nutrition and Water Access · Dental Health and Care Utilization · Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations · Medicine