Influence of Urban and Rural Areas, Type of School, and Parents' Education Level on Nutrition Habits and Their Relationship with Dental Caries in Schoolchildren in Mallorca.

Background/

Objectives

Habits such as a diet high in sugars and poor dental biofilm control are linked to a higher prevalence of caries and low socioeconomic status. This study aimed to analyze the nutrition habits of schoolchildren in Mallorca and their relationship with the presence of dental caries, depending on the type of school, geographic location, and parents' education level.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the prevalence of dental caries based on World Health Organization (WHO) standards and nutritional practices following guidelines from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). This study included 718 students from three age groups: first-year elementary students (ages 5-6), sixth-year elementary students (age 12), and fourth-year secondary school students (age 15). Relevant sociodemographic factors were also considered in the analysis.

Results

In schoolchildren aged 5-6 years, higher monthly consumption of processed and sugary foods, such as sweets (rural: 24.66 (CI 95%: 20.30-29.02); urban: 19.29 (CI 95%:16.27-22.304); p = 0.044), was noted in schoolchildren from rural sectors compared to those residing in urban areas. At 15 years of age, there was a higher consumption of potato chips in public schools than in subsidized/private schools (public: 26.95 (CI 95%: 24.42-29.49); subsidized/private: 18.29 (CI 95%: 13.92-22.65) p = 0.004). A high consumption of sweets is associated with an increased risk of caries (OR sweets: 1.76 CI: 1.04-2.98; p = 0.035). Fewer students with mothers with a lower education level eat dinner (elementary: 75%; secondary 91%; higher: 98%; p = 0.003).

Conclusions

Higher consumption of sweets in rural areas and potato chips in public schools, along with the association between sweet consumption and caries risk, highlight how geographic location, school type, and parents' education level influence children's nutrition habits and caries.