Cross-Sectional Association between Behaviors Related to Sugar-Containing Foods and Dental Outcomes among Hispanic Immigrants.

Sonia Vega-López,George Eckert,Karla Armenta,Gerardo Maupomé

doi:10.3390/ijerph17145095

Abstract

A cross-sectional, self-administered survey was used to gather information about dental outcomes, sugar-containing food behaviors and intake, and sociodemographic characteristics of adults of Mexican and Central-American (Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras) origin (n = 517). Bivariate and multiple-variable logistic regressions were used to examine the associations of behaviors related to added sugar-containing foods/beverages (overall intake and consumption before bed) with dental outcomes. Outcome measures involved dental outcomes, dental self-care practices, and added sugar intake. Estimated daily added sugar intake among all participants was 98 (SD = 99) g, with no difference in consumption among participants from different countries. The majority of added sugar (63 (SD = 74) g) was provided by sugar-sweetened beverages. Participants who reported consuming sugar-containing foods or beverages within an hour before bed were more likely to report having a fair/poor/very poor condition of teeth and gums and having felt dental pain (p < 0.05 for all). The amount of sugar intake was associated with being prescribed medication for oral or dental problems (p = 0.008) and dental pain (p = 0.003). Findings support the association between sugar containing food–related behaviors and dental problems among Hispanic immigrants to the U.S. Health promotion and preventive interventions for this population should consider these behaviors as modifiable contributors to adverse dental outcomes.

Highlights

Despite the efforts directed at eliminating health disparities, Hispanics, the largest minority group in the U.S [1], are at higher risk for developing chronic diseases relative to other ethnic groups [2,3]in part because of their lack of adherence to dietary recommendations [4,5]
Six participants of Mexican origin were excluded from the analysis: one reported implausibly high added sugar intake (>1250 g/day) and the other five had incomplete responses for five or more food categories
The present study offers limited support to confirm that these four nationalities of origin (Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras) do not appear to differ for added sugar consumption in important ways; considering that they make up about 80% of the Hispanic population in the U.S and in Indiana, the lack of major differences offers a measure of certainty about using similar approaches to address the large intake of added sugars across people of Mexican, Honduran, Salvadorian, and Guatemalan origins

Summary

Introduction

Despite the efforts directed at eliminating health disparities, Hispanics, the largest minority group in the U.S [1], are at higher risk for developing chronic diseases relative to other ethnic groups [2,3]in part because of their lack of adherence to dietary recommendations [4,5]. Despite the efforts directed at eliminating health disparities, Hispanics, the largest minority group in the U.S [1], are at higher risk for developing chronic diseases relative to other ethnic groups [2,3]. Hispanics continue to have one of the highest prevalence rates of caries and unmet oral treatment needs [6,7]. Studies assessing the diet of Hispanics in the U.S support a need for dietary improvement; with high consumption of sugar-containing foods and beverages being a concern [8,9]. 1000 U.S Hispanics, 58% reported consuming sugar-sweetened beverages more than twice daily [10]. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data suggest that overall. Public Health 2020, 17, 5095; doi:10.3390/ijerph17145095 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph

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