Downloads: 2
Original Article | Public Health | Volume 15 Issue 3, March 2026 | Pages: 1636 - 1641 | India
Awareness Regarding Effects of Diet on Oral Health among Parents of Children Aged 6 to 15 Years in Bengaluru
Abstract: Background: Diet plays a key role in oral and dental health. Similarly, oral health affects diet intake. An unhealthy diet has been implicated as risk factors for several chronic diseases that are known to be associated with oral diseases. Consumption of much cariogenic nutrients such as sugar affects both dental and gum health. The awareness of dietary factors that affect the oral health is an essential component in the dental care system. Aim: To assess the awareness regarding effects of diet on oral health among parents of children aged 6 to 15 years in Bengaluru city. Methods: A cross sectional web based online study was conducted among parents of children aged 6-15 years in Bengaluru city using Google forms through social media networks. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect the required data which included parents socio-demographics and oral health related diet awareness. The questionnaire was validated and pilot tested. A sample of 400 parents using the formula N= Z2(1-?) X PQ/ ?2 were included. Statistical Package for Statistical Sciences (SPSS) for Windows Version 22.0 Released 2013. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp, was used to perform statistical analyses. The level of significance (P- value) was set at P<0.05. Results: Among the four hundred parents, 133(33.3%) belong to the children age group of 6-9years and 165(41.3%) belong to the children age group of 21-22 years, and 102(25.5%) belong to the children age group of 12-15yrs. When participants? socioeconomic status was considered, it showed that 13(3.3%) of the study samples belong to Lower Class, about 121(30.3%) belong to Upper Lower and 97 (24.3%) study subjects were in the Lower Middle Class. Almost 136(34.0%) of the parents belong to Upper Middle and 33(8.3%) belong to Upper Class. Significant difference in the mean awareness scores was observed between different socioeconomic status at P<0.001. The total mean score of the awareness regarding effects of diet on oral health was 10.62?2.39. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed moderate awareness regarding effects of diet on oral health among parents of children aged 6-15 years in Bengaluru city. Health education on the importance of adequate diet in preventing oral diseases and for maintaining good oral health is recommended.
Keywords: Diet, Oral health, Awareness, Parents
How to Cite?: Dr. Suchetha G. M., Dr. Shilpashree K. B., "Awareness Regarding Effects of Diet on Oral Health among Parents of Children Aged 6 to 15 Years in Bengaluru", Volume 15 Issue 3, March 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1636-1641, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26326200353, DOI: https://dx.dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26326200353