Journal article
The association of food insecurity with tooth decay and periodontitis among middle-aged and older adults in the United States and Korea
Gerodontology, Vol.40(2), pp.251-262
06/2023
DOI: 10.1111/ger.12651
Abstract
Introduction
Food insecurity is an important social determinant of health, but there is limited understanding of its relationship with adult oral health. This study examined the associations between food insecurity and dental diseases (caries and periodontitis) among middle-aged and older adults in the United States and South Korea.
Methods
This study focused on middle-aged (40–59 years) and older adults (>59 years) who participated in the 2011–2016 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) or the 2013–2015 South Korean NHANES. The exposure was food insecurity severity (food secure/early-stage food insecurity/middle-stage or severe food insecurity) assessed using the 18-item US Household Food Security Survey Module. The two outcomes were any untreated tooth decay and periodontitis measured using the Modified Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs. Covariate-adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were generated using multivariable logistic regression models.
Results
Middle or severe food insecurity was associated with significantly higher odds of having untreated tooth decay than no food insecurity, but only among middle-aged adults in the United States (OR: 1.4, 95% CI 1.2, 1.9; P = .037) and Korea (OR = 1.8; 95% CI:1.0, 3.2; P = .036) and older adults in the United States (OR: 2.6, 95% CI 1.7, 4.0; P < .001). The associations between food insecurity and periodontitis were inconsistent across age group and country.
Conclusion
Differing cultural norms and access to dental services in the United States and South Korea may influence the relationship between food insecurity and oral health. Future research should explore how addressing food insecurity could help to promote the oral health of middle-aged and older adults in diverse sociocultural contexts.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The association of food insecurity with tooth decay and periodontitis among middle-aged and older adults in the United States and Korea
- Creators
- Jane J Lee - University of WashingtonYujin Kim - Kangwon National UniversityJoAnna M Scott - University of Missouri–Kansas CityCourtney M Hill - University of WashingtonDonald L Chi - University of Washington
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Gerodontology, Vol.40(2), pp.251-262
- DOI
- 10.1111/ger.12651
- eISSN
- 1741-2358
- Grant note
- DOI: 10.13039/100007812, name: University of Washington; DOI: 10.13039/100000002, name: National Institutes of Health; DOI: 10.13039/100006108, name: National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, award: KL2TR002317
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 08/18/2022
- Date published
- 06/2023
- Academic Unit
- Public Policy Center (Archive)
- Record Identifier
- 9984297352502771
Metrics
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