Investigating the Association between Healthy Eating Index and Early Childhood Caries in Iranian Preschool Children: A Case-Control Study
Background: Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is known as a main global dental problem in childhood period, which oral diet may play an important role in the occurrence of this complication. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the association between dietary Healthy Eating Index (HEI) and ECC in ch...
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| Format: | Article |
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Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Journal of Nutrition and Food Security |
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| Online Access: | http://jnfs.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-999-en.pdf |
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| author | Maryam Mehrabkhani Taraneh Movahhed Mohsen Nematy Melika Hoseinzadeh Homeira Mohammadi |
| author_facet | Maryam Mehrabkhani Taraneh Movahhed Mohsen Nematy Melika Hoseinzadeh Homeira Mohammadi |
| author_sort | Maryam Mehrabkhani |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is known as a main global dental problem in childhood period, which oral diet may play an important role in the occurrence of this complication. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the association between dietary Healthy Eating Index (HEI) and ECC in children living in Mashhad, Iran. Methods: In the current case-control study, 732 preschool children (aged 3–6 years) were examined for dental caries and then categorized into two groups of children with ECC, or who were Caries-Free (CF). Then, the HEI was measured by analyzing a validated food frequency questionnaire, which their parents were requested to complete. The association between HEI score and the prevalence of ECC was determined using logistic regression analysis. Results: The HEI for CF group was significantly higher than ECC group (P<0.001, CI 95%: 57.58-67.93 vs. 51.72-65.49), respectively). The mean scores of grain, milk, fruits, vegetables, and meat groups were significantly higher in CF group (P<0.001). Children in CF group were also more compliant with recommended intake of total fat (P<0.01) and cholesterol (P<0.001). Furthermore, CF children had a significantly more diverse food item intake (P<0.001). It is noteworthy to mention that, with each unit increase in HEI score, the odds of ECC decreased by 0.04 (P=0.01, OR=0.04). Conclusion: Caries prevalence in preschool children could be prevented by enhancing food quality. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5b572abcac9e44d0ba673d09441e65e9 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2476-7417 2476-7425 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Nutrition and Food Security |
| spelling | doaj-art-5b572abcac9e44d0ba673d09441e65e92025-02-08T10:57:36ZengShahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health ServicesJournal of Nutrition and Food Security2476-74172476-74252025-02-01101134142Investigating the Association between Healthy Eating Index and Early Childhood Caries in Iranian Preschool Children: A Case-Control StudyMaryam Mehrabkhani0Taraneh Movahhed1Mohsen Nematy2Melika Hoseinzadeh3Homeira Mohammadi4 Pediatric Dentistry Department, Center, Faculty of Dentistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Pediatric Dentistry Department, Center, Faculty of Dentistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Dental Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Pediatric Dentistry Department, Center, Faculty of Dentistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Background: Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is known as a main global dental problem in childhood period, which oral diet may play an important role in the occurrence of this complication. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the association between dietary Healthy Eating Index (HEI) and ECC in children living in Mashhad, Iran. Methods: In the current case-control study, 732 preschool children (aged 3–6 years) were examined for dental caries and then categorized into two groups of children with ECC, or who were Caries-Free (CF). Then, the HEI was measured by analyzing a validated food frequency questionnaire, which their parents were requested to complete. The association between HEI score and the prevalence of ECC was determined using logistic regression analysis. Results: The HEI for CF group was significantly higher than ECC group (P<0.001, CI 95%: 57.58-67.93 vs. 51.72-65.49), respectively). The mean scores of grain, milk, fruits, vegetables, and meat groups were significantly higher in CF group (P<0.001). Children in CF group were also more compliant with recommended intake of total fat (P<0.01) and cholesterol (P<0.001). Furthermore, CF children had a significantly more diverse food item intake (P<0.001). It is noteworthy to mention that, with each unit increase in HEI score, the odds of ECC decreased by 0.04 (P=0.01, OR=0.04). Conclusion: Caries prevalence in preschool children could be prevented by enhancing food quality.http://jnfs.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-999-en.pdfdental carieschilddietoral health. |
| spellingShingle | Maryam Mehrabkhani Taraneh Movahhed Mohsen Nematy Melika Hoseinzadeh Homeira Mohammadi Investigating the Association between Healthy Eating Index and Early Childhood Caries in Iranian Preschool Children: A Case-Control Study Journal of Nutrition and Food Security dental caries child diet oral health. |
| title | Investigating the Association between Healthy Eating Index and Early Childhood Caries in Iranian Preschool Children: A Case-Control Study |
| title_full | Investigating the Association between Healthy Eating Index and Early Childhood Caries in Iranian Preschool Children: A Case-Control Study |
| title_fullStr | Investigating the Association between Healthy Eating Index and Early Childhood Caries in Iranian Preschool Children: A Case-Control Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Investigating the Association between Healthy Eating Index and Early Childhood Caries in Iranian Preschool Children: A Case-Control Study |
| title_short | Investigating the Association between Healthy Eating Index and Early Childhood Caries in Iranian Preschool Children: A Case-Control Study |
| title_sort | investigating the association between healthy eating index and early childhood caries in iranian preschool children a case control study |
| topic | dental caries child diet oral health. |
| url | http://jnfs.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-999-en.pdf |
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