The relationship between food security with diet quality and dental caries experience among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate associations between food security, diet quality and dental caries among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

METHODS

We analysed cross-sectional data from the South Australian Aboriginal Birth Cohort study. Food insecurity was assessed using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale, dental caries experience via DMFT Index >0, and diet quality with Menzies Remote Short Item Dietary Assessment Tool. Linear regressions and generalized linear models estimated associations between food insecurity, diet quality and dental caries.

RESULTS

Of the 219 children, 55.7% had caries. Nearly half of the children and families faced food insecurity: 13.7% mild, 28.3% moderate, and 14.6% severe. Children in severely food-insecure households had more caries, though the association was non-linear, with moderate insecurity linked to fewer caries than mild insecurity. Severely food-insecure children had slightly poorer diet quality, mainly due to lower vegetable intake, with negligible differences across other food groups.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the burden of food insecurity and dental caries experience among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, underscoring the need for targeted support to improve long-term health.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH: Findings highlight the need for culturally appropriate food security measures and recognition of food security as a basic human right.