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Associations between Child Snack and Beverage Consumption, Severe Dental Caries, and Malnutrition in Nepal

Author

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  • Neha Zahid

    (School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA)

  • Nehaa Khadka

    (Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA)

  • Madhurima Ganguly

    (School of Dentistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA)

  • Tanya Varimezova

    (School of Dentistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA)

  • Bathsheba Turton

    (Department of Dentistry, University of Puthisastra, Phnom Penh 12211, Cambodia)

  • Laura Spero

    (Jevaia Foundation, Pokhara 33700, Nepal)

  • Karen Sokal-Gutierrez

    (School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA)

Abstract

The global nutrition transition and increased consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and ultra-processed snacks have contributed to increasing rates of child obesity and dental caries in developing countries. In Nepal, where child malnutrition rates are high, the relationship between malnutrition and dental caries is poorly understood. This cross-sectional study aims to assess this relationship among a convenience sample of 273 children age six months to less than 12 years in three communities in Nepal, using parent/caregiver interviews, child dental exams, and anthropometric measurements. Fisher’s exact test and independent t-tests examined associations between dietary practices and severe caries and between severe caries and malnutrition, respectively. Children consumed sugar-sweetened beverages and processed snacks frequently: 80% consumed tea with sugar, 60% consumed sweet snacks, and 65% consumed processed savory snacks daily. Overall, 74% of children had untreated tooth decay, and 21% exhibited stunting malnutrition, 14% were underweight, and 6% presented wasting. Significant associations were found between daily consumption of sweets and processed snacks with severe caries and between severe caries and poorer nutritional status. These findings underscore the need to incorporate nutrition and oral health promotion and dental treatment into maternal–child health services and schools and to strengthen policies to reduce children’s access to junk food.

Suggested Citation

  • Neha Zahid & Nehaa Khadka & Madhurima Ganguly & Tanya Varimezova & Bathsheba Turton & Laura Spero & Karen Sokal-Gutierrez, 2020. "Associations between Child Snack and Beverage Consumption, Severe Dental Caries, and Malnutrition in Nepal," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-13, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:21:p:7911-:d:436183
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    1. Chloe Tsang & Karen Sokal-Gutierrez & Priya Patel & Brett Lewis & Debbie Huang & Kristina Ronsin & Ashmita Baral & Aparna Bhatta & Nehaa Khadka & Howard Barkan & Sidhanta Gurung, 2019. "Early Childhood Oral Health and Nutrition in Urban and Rural Nepal," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-11, July.
    2. Marvin So & Yianni A. Ellenikiotis & Hannah M. Husby & Cecilia Leonor Paz & Brittany Seymour & Karen Sokal-Gutierrez, 2017. "Early Childhood Dental Caries, Mouth Pain, and Malnutrition in the Ecuadorian Amazon Region," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-12, May.
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    4. Khanh, L.N. & Ivey, S.L. & Sokal-Gutierrez, K. & Barkan, H. & Ngo, K.M. & Hoang, H.T. & Vuong, I. & Thai, N., 2015. "Early childhood caries, mouth pain, and nutritional threats in Vietnam," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 105(12), pages 2510-2517.
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