Work

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

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: 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.

Source: International Dental Journal

DOI: 10.1016/j.identj.2025.103922

Authors: Ying Ying, Lujin Zhang, Huan Zhou, Ruyu Sun, Jiadan Dai, Weifang Zhang

Institutions: Zhejiang University Medical College Affiliated Stomatological Hospital, Zhejiang University, Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University

Language: English

Topic: Oral microbiology and periodontitis research

Subfield: Periodontics

Field: Dentistry

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,550