Association between added sugar intake and dental caries in Yup'ik children using a novel hair biomarker

Donald L Chi; Scarlett Hopkins; Diane O'Brien; Lloyd Mancl; Eliza Orr; Dane Lenaker

doi:10.1186/s12903-015-0101-z

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Association between added sugar intake and dental caries in Yup'ik children using a novel hair biomarker

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Association between added sugar intake and dental caries in Yup'ik children using a novel hair biomarker

Donald L Chi, Scarlett Hopkins, Diane O'Brien, Lloyd Mancl, Eliza Orr and Dane Lenaker

BMC oral health, Vol.15(1), pp.121-121

10/09/2015

DOI: 10.1186/s12903-015-0101-z

PMCID: PMC4600323

PMID: 26452647

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Abstract

Dental caries (tooth decay) is a significant public health problem in Alaska Native children. Dietary added sugars are considered one of the main risk factors. In this cross-sectional pilot study, we used a validated hair-based biomarker to measure added sugar intake in Alaska Native Yup'ik children ages 6-17 years (N = 51). We hypothesized that added sugar intake would be positively associated with tooth decay. A 66-item parent survey was administered, a hair sample was collected from each child, and a dental exam was conducted. Added sugar intake (grams/day) was measured from hair samples using a linear combination of carbon and nitrogen ratios. We used linear and log-linear regression models with robust standard errors to test our hypothesis that children with higher added sugar intake would have a higher proportion of carious tooth surfaces. The mean proportion of carious tooth surfaces was 30.8 % (standard deviation: 23.2 %). Hair biomarker-based added sugar intake was associated with absolute (6.4 %; 95 % CI: 1.2 %, 11.6 %; P = .02) and relative increases in the proportion of carious tooth surfaces (24.2 %; 95 % CI: 10.6 %, 39.4 %; P < .01). There were no associations between self-reported measures of sugar-sweetened food and beverage intake and tooth decay. Added sugar intake as assessed by hair biomarker was significantly and positively associated with tooth decay in our sample of Yup'ik children. Self-reported dietary measures were not associated tooth decay. Most added sugars were from sugar-sweetened fruit drinks consumed at home. Future dietary interventions aimed at improving the oral health of Alaska Native children should consider use of objective biomarkers to assess and measure changes in home-based added sugar intake, particularly sugar-sweetened fruit drinks.

Adolescent

Beverages

Biomarkers - analysis

Child

Dental Caries - epidemiology

Dietary Sucrose - adverse effects

Female

Hair - chemistry

Humans

Male

Sugars

Sweetening Agents

Details

Title: Subtitle: Association between added sugar intake and dental caries in Yup'ik children using a novel hair biomarker
Creators: Donald L Chi - University of Washington
Scarlett Hopkins - University of Alaska Fairbanks
Diane O'Brien - University of Alaska Fairbanks
Lloyd Mancl - University of Washington
Eliza Orr - University of Alaska Fairbanks
Dane Lenaker - Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: BMC oral health, Vol.15(1), pp.121-121
DOI: 10.1186/s12903-015-0101-z
PMID: 26452647
PMCID: PMC4600323
NLM abbreviation: BMC Oral Health
ISSN: 1472-6831
eISSN: 1472-6831
Grant note: K08 DE020856 / NIDCR NIH HHS K08DE020856 / NIDCR NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 10/09/2015
Academic Unit: Public Policy Center (Archive)
Record Identifier: 9984283706702771

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