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

Sonia Vega-López, Karla Armenta, George Eckert and Gerardo Maupomé
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Sonia Vega-López: College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
Karla Armenta: SDSU Health LINK Center for Transdisciplinary Health Disparities Research, San Diego State University Research Foundation, San Diego, CA 92120, USA
George Eckert: School of Medicine, Indiana University/Purdue University in Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
Gerardo Maupomé: Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indiana University/Purdue University in Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 14, 1-13

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.

Keywords: sugar-containing foods; Hispanic; immigrants; dental outcomes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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