Association Between Mediterranean Diet Adherence and Periodontal Health Among Junior High School Students in China.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the association between Mediterranean diet adherence and periodontal health among junior high school students in China.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out in Zhejiang Province from March to June 2023. Through multistage stratified sampling, 1,462 eighth-grade students (aged 13-16 years) were recruited. Periodontal health was evaluated by clinical examinations, with participants classified into good and poor periodontal status groups. Mediterranean diet adherence was measured using the 16-item KIDMED questionnaire. Sociodemographic and behavioral covariates were also collected. Chi-square tests were used for univariate analyses, and a multivariable logistic regression model was applied to estimate the associations.

RESULTS

A total of 18.42% (269/1,462) of the students had a poor periodontal status. Univariate analyses showed that only 1 child status, parental education, occupation, family income, brushing frequency, and Mediterranean diet adherence were significantly associated with periodontal health. In the multivariable logistic regression, only children had 1.75-fold increased odds of poor periodontal status (aOR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.26-2.44, P < .001), and low Mediterranean diet adherence independently increased the odds of poor periodontal health by 72% compared to high adherence (aOR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.04-2.86, P < .05).

CONCLUSION

Non-only child status and low Mediterranean diet adherence are independent risk factors for poor periodontal health among Chinese junior high school students. Family-centered interventions that focus on improving dietary quality and resource allocation in multi-child families are needed.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study highlights the translational importance of integrating dietary assessment into routine adolescent dental care. Promoting Mediterranean-style dietary habits and supporting oral health in multi-child families could help reduce the risk of periodontal disease during a critical developmental stage.