Association Between Mediterranean Diet Adherence and Periodontal Health Among Junior High School Students in China
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Published on: December 31, 2017
Ying Ying1, Lujin Zhang2, Huan Zhou2
1Department of Group Health, Yongkang Women and Children's Health Hospital, Yongkang, Zhejiang, China.
Objective:
This study aimed to explore the association between Mediterranean diet adherence and periodontal health among junior high school students in China.
Materials And Methods:
A cross-sectional study was carried out in Zhejiang Province from March to June 2023. Through multistage stratified sampling, 1,462 eighth-grade students (aged 13-16 years) were recruited. Periodontal health was evaluated by clinical examinations, with participants classified into good and poor periodontal status groups. Mediterranean diet adherence was measured using the 16-item KIDMED questionnaire. Sociodemographic and behavioral covariates were also collected. Chi-square tests were used for univariate analyses, and a multivariable logistic regression model was applied to estimate the associations.
Results:
A total of 18.42% (269/1,462) of the students had a poor periodontal status. Univariate analyses showed that only 1 child status, parental education, occupation, family income, brushing frequency, and Mediterranean diet adherence were significantly associated with periodontal health. In the multivariable logistic regression, only children had 1.75-fold increased odds of poor periodontal status (aOR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.26-2.44, P < .001), and low Mediterranean diet adherence independently increased the odds of poor periodontal health by 72% compared to high adherence (aOR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.04-2.86, P < .05).
Conclusion:
Non-only child status and low Mediterranean diet adherence are independent risk factors for poor periodontal health among Chinese junior high school students. Family-centered interventions that focus on improving dietary quality and resource allocation in multi-child families are needed.
Clinical Relevance:
This study highlights the translational importance of integrating dietary assessment into routine adolescent dental care. Promoting Mediterranean-style dietary habits and supporting oral health in multi-child families could help reduce the risk of periodontal disease during a critical developmental stage.
