The Lack of Knowledge about Food Education Increases Dental Caries

May 18, 2016

Dr. Manabu Morita, Dr. Yoshiaki Iwasaki, and their colleagues found the association between Shokuiku (comprehensive food education) and increase in DMFT (dental caries) by the longitudinal cohort study in three years.
The findings were published online Feb. 25, 2016 in the journal of Nutrients.
http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/8/3/114/html

The collaborative research group conducted a longitudinal cohort study with 2,184 university students. Among 562 students (262: male, 300: female) followed for three years, DMFT increased in 36% of male students with knowledge about Shokuiku; on the other hand, DMFT increased in 51.9% of male students without knowledge. After adjusted for other factors, males who lacked knowledge about Shokuiku had significantly higher risk (2.0 times) for DMFT than those who do have it. Females, those who frequently consumed sugar-sweetened soft drinks, also had significantly higher risk (1.9 times) for DMFT than those who did not.

These results suggest that having no knowledge about Shokuiku is associated with increase in DMFT in Japanese male university students. The researchers suggest that improving dietary habits using comprehensive food education from younger age may prevent DMFT and lifestyle-related diseases in the future.

Contact information

Mototaka Senda, Ph.D.
Director, Okayama University Silicon Valley Office
Organization for research Promotion and Collaboration, Okayama University
2450 Peralta Blvd. #222
Fremont, CA 94536

Manabu Morita Ph.D.
Department of Preventive Dentistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University