Association between dietary diversity and caries in preschool-age children

BackgroundFew studies have reported an association between dietary diversity and caries among preschool children.AimThis study aimed to clarify the association between dietary diversity and caries in preschoolers.MethodsThe data for this cross-sectional study were obtained by distributing questionnaires to the parents of preschool children (aged 3-6 years) in 2024, and 420 participants were analyzed. Children's dietary diversity was assessed using the dietary diversity score (DDS), which is the sum of the intake frequency of eight food groups (cereals, fish and shellfish, meat, eggs, soybeans and soy products, vegetables, fruits, and dairy products). Consumption of food at least once and less than once daily was scored as 1 and 0, respectively, for a maximum of 8 points. The DDS obtained was classified into three groups: low (0-2 points), moderate (3-5 points), and high (6-8 points). The presence or absence of caries was reported by the parents. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using logistic regression analysis.SummaryCaries were present in 69 of the 420 children (16.4%). After adjustment for sex, age, frequency of consuming sweetened beverages, frequency of consuming sweets, sleep duration, and maternal education level, the odds ratios for the moderate- and high-DDS groups, compared with the low-DDS group, were 0.64 (95% confidence interval: 0.35-1.17) and 0.40 (95% confidence interval: 0.17-0.99), respectively. Dietary diversity was associated with caries independent of sex, age, frequency of sweetened beverages, frequency of sweets, sleep duration, and maternal education level among preschool children.