Risk of Food Insecurity and Intake of Added Sugar Among Pediatric Patients at an Urban Dental School (P04-091-19)

Abstract

ObjectivesOne in six U.S. children resides in a food-insecure household. Dental caries disproportionately affects low-income children especially among African Americans (AA). The aim of this study was to compare food security status, intake of added sugar and BMI z-scores between 3–5 year old AA children at an urban dental school in the Northeast, who were caries free (CF) versus those with early childhood caries (ECC). MethodsA validated two question risk of food insecurity (FI) questionnaire and the Block Kids Food Screener© were administered to parents/guardians of children who met inclusion/exclusion criteria. A dental exam for caries detection, height, weight and demographic information were obtained by calibrated dentists. ResultsA total of 82 AA (44CF, 38ECC) children were recruited. All children lived in areas with nonfluoridated water and were Medicaid recipients. Among parents/guardians who answered the FI questions (n = 81), 23 (28.4%) were identified at risk of FI. There were no significant differences in food security status between the CF and ECC groups, X2 = 0.85, P = 0.36, phi = −0.13 and no differences in BMI z-scores. However, independent samples t-tests revealed a significant difference between FI and food secure (FS) groups for grams of added sugar intake per day (18.8 ± 14.4 gm and 34.5 ± 32.4 gm, in FS and FI groups, respectively; P = 0.034). Tooth brushing was also more frequent in the FS group (Cramer’s V 0.33, P = 0.012). ConclusionsAlthough no differences were seen in risk of food insecurity between the CF and ECC groups, concern is raised by the fact that 28% of children being treated at this urban dental clinic are at risk for FI and had significantly higher added sugar intake. Identifying children who are at risk for FI will enable health care providers to better target services aimed at reducing added sugars and sugar sweetened beverages. This, in turn, may help decrease negative health effects shown elsewhere to be associated with the risk of FI including dental decay and obesity. Funding SourcesDean’s Grant, School of Health Professions, Rutgers University.