Assessment of Nutritional Status and Its Impact on Oral Health in Low-Income Communities
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Abstract
Background: Dental caries and undernutrition frequently coexist among children living in low-income communities, where limited access to preventive dental care, irregular dietary patterns, and frequent sugar exposure may contribute to poor oral health outcomes. Objective: This study assessed nutritional status, dietary habits, and their association with dental caries experience among school-going children aged 5–15 years from low-income communities of Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted during oral health screening and dietary assessment camps. A total of 250 children were assessed using structured demographic and dietary questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, and clinical oral examination. BMI-for-age was categorized using WHO growth references. Dental caries experience was assessed using DMFT and DEFT indices. Associations were examined using chi-square tests and binary logistic regression. Results: Overall caries prevalence was 68.4%, with mean DMFT of 2.14 ± 1.63 and mean DEFT of 3.08 ± 1.92. Underweight status was observed in 44.8% of participants. Daily sugary snack consumption was reported by 63.2%, and frequent breakfast skipping by 61.2%. Underweight children showed higher caries prevalence than normal-weight children. In adjusted analysis, daily sugary snack consumption (AOR = 2.84; 95% CI: 1.42–5.69; p = 0.003) and underweight status (AOR = 1.95; 95% CI: 1.07–3.54; p = 0.028) remained significant predictors of substantial caries experience. Conclusion: Dental caries was highly prevalent among children from low-income communities and was significantly associated with daily sugary snack intake and underweight nutritional status. Integrated school- and community-based interventions combining oral health education, dietary counseling, nutrition support, and early dental referral are needed
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