Food insecurity and consumption of cariogenic foods in mothers and their two-year-old children in Appalachia

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the association between household food insecurity and intake of cariogenic foods that increase risk of dental caries.

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of 842 mothers in Appalachia and their children participating in the Center for Oral Health Research Cohort 2 between 2011 and 2017 when their children were ~ 24 months of age. Mothers completed a telephone interview regarding cariogenic food consumption and food insecurity. Associations between food insecurity and daily food intake were adjusted for education, income, state residence, and daily snacking.

Results: After adjustment for household income, state residence, daily snacking, and maternal education, mothers from moderately/severely food insecure households drank on average ½ more sugar-sweetened beverage servings per day (p = 0.005) and children drank almost 1/3 servings more (p = 0.006). Further, mothers and children from moderately/severely food insecure households had lower, but not statistically significant, daily average consumption of vegetables (mothers: 1/5 less of a vegetable serving per day, children: ~1/10 less) and fruits (mothers: 1/5 less of a fruit serving per day, children: ~ 1/10 les) and elevated consumption of sweets (mothers: ~ 1/25 more sweet servings per day, children: ~ 2/25 more); differences based on state residence were noted.

Conclusions: Food insecurity is associated with higher consumption of foods that increase risk of dental caries, but this association is modified by maternal education, income, and state residence. Food insecurity, and its socioeconomic determinants, should be considered when designing and implementing interventions to prevent dental caries.