Food insecurity and periodontitis in US adults

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Dental Epidemiology
• Socioeconomic Determinants of Health

Background:

• Periodontitis is a prevalent oral disease with significant public health implications.
• Food insecurity, defined as lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life, is a growing concern in the United States.
• Understanding the interplay between socioeconomic factors and health outcomes is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between food insecurity and periodontitis in a representative sample of US adults.
• To identify risk and protective factors associated with periodontitis, considering food security status.

Main Methods:

• Secondary analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2009-2014.
• Inclusion of 6,108 US participants aged 30 years and older.
• Assessment of periodontitis through clinical oral examinations and food insecurity via the US Food Security Survey Module.

Main Results:

• Periodontitis was significantly associated with low food security (aOR=1.30).
• Key risk factors for periodontitis included elevated HbA1c, emergency dental care visits, smoking, minority status, low income, and older age.
• Protective factors included annual dental visits, health insurance, female gender, and college education.

Conclusions:

• Food insecurity is an independent risk factor for periodontitis among US adults.
• Ensuring food security is a fundamental human right that can contribute to improved oral and overall health.
• Public health strategies should consider food security as a critical factor in preventing and managing periodontitis.