Association of sugary foods and drinks consumption with behavioral risk and oral health status of 12- and 15-year-old Indian school children

AIM: This study aims to assess the association of sugary foods and drinks consumption with behavioral risk and oral health status of 12- and 15-year-old government school children in Udaipur. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among of 12- and 15-year-old government schoolchildren of Udaipur. A survey pro forma designed based on HBSC (Health behaviour in School-aged Children) study protocol and WHO Oral Health Assessment Form for Children (2013) was used. Chi-Square test, Independent Sample t-test, and Multinomial Logistic Regression analysis were used with 95% confidence interval and 5% significance level. RESULTS: Out of 710 participants, 455 (64.1%) were males and 255 females (35.9%). Majority of 15 years age (57.3%) consumed more soft drinks than 12-year-old. Males showed a comparatively greater tendency to have sugar sweetened products than females. The decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft) and DMFT scores were relatively higher for subjects who consumed sugary substances more than once/day than who had less than once/day. Gingivitis was associated with high sugar diet. CONCLUSION: Sugary foods and drinks consumption is significantly associated with behavioral habits of children and is a clear behavioral risk for oral health.