Dietary Habits and Oral Hygiene as Determinants of the Incidence and Intensity of Dental Caries-A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the influence of dietary and hygiene habits on the prevalence and intensity of dental caries. A group of 148 adults participated in the study. METHODS: A self-administered nutrition and oral hygiene questionnaire was used to assess dietary habits and oral hygiene routine. A preventive diet index (PDI), a cariogenic diet index (CDI), and an oral health hygiene and prevention index (OHHPI) were created based on part of the questions. The intensity of dental caries among the respondents was investigated by the decayed, missing, and filled teeth index (DMFT), which was estimated on the basis of data obtained during the dental examination. RESULTS: The study showed that 97% of the respondents had filled carious cavities, while untreated carious cavities were observed in up to 78% of the study participants. The respondents had an average consumption of preventive products and a low consumption of caries-stimulating foods. The preventive dietary index (PDI) value was higher in the female group than in the male group. A more frequent consumption of caries-inhibiting products was demonstrated by those declaring that they took various types of dietary supplements. The use of health-promoting sugar substitutes by the respondents was associated with a lower intensity of dental caries and a more frequent consumption of preventive products. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of the survey results indicates the need to implement educational activities aimed at increasing public awareness of the prevalence of dental caries among adults.

Differentiation of Nutritional Risk among Polish Seniors Based on Selected Lifestyle Characteristics.

Elderly people living in the community are a population group at high nutritional risk. The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional risk of Polish seniors in relation to the region of residence and selected lifestyle characteristics (alcohol consumption, smoking, sleep, physical activity). The SCREEN-14 (Seniors in the Community: Risk Evaluation for Eating and Nutrition) questionnaire was used to assess nutritional risk. The questionnaire was conducted among 320 Polish adults aged 60 and older. The snowball method was used to select the sample. The study was conducted from May to July 2021 in two regions. Cluster analysis with agglomeration technique was used to identify the association between categories of variables describing nutritional risk level, demographic characteristics, and lifestyle characteristics. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between identified nutritional risk levels and selected lifestyle characteristics. Men over 75 and seniors living in smaller towns have been shown to be at higher nutritional risk. High nutritional risk was significantly more common among those who consumed alcohol, smoked tobacco, and had less than six hours or more than nine hours of sleep per day. In addition, low to moderate physical activity was associated with higher nutritional risk. The identification of factors that increase nutritional risk among seniors can support the planning of ways to prevent nutritional problems in this age group.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Poles' Nutritional and Health Behaviour and Quality of Life-A Pilot Study.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which has lasted for over a year, has affected everyone's lives. It is interesting to examine how populations cope with the new situation and to learn about the impact of the epidemic on quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on changes in selected elements of lifestyle compared to the pre-pandemic period among adult Polish residents. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on selected features of quality of life was examined. It was found that, for some distinguishing factors (i.e., quality of life, health status and sleep quality), there were no statistically significant differences. Other distinguishing factors (i.e., ability to perform daily living activities, ability to work and personal relationships) were statistically different. Another part of the study was to assess changes in the frequency of consumption of specific food groups. The vast majority of respondents declared no changes in the frequency of consumption of selected food products. The majority of respondents declared that the COVID-19 pandemic did not cause a change in the frequency of drug use (i.e., cigarettes, alcohol and coffee).

Circulating Insulin and IGF-1 and Frequency of Food Consumption during Pregnancy as Predictors of Birth Weight and Length.

The aim of the study was to assess the relationships between maternal insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentration and food consumption frequency and the birth parameters of the newborn. A total of 157 mother-newborn pairs participated in the study. The study showed that more frequent consumption of sweet and salty snacks as well as fruit and fruit or vegetable juices may promote greater weight gain in pregnancy and higher newborn birth weight. A significantly higher insulin concentration was found among overweight women according to body mass index (BMI), and a significantly lower concentration of IGF-1 was demonstrated among women ≥35 years of age. There was no significant correlation between the concentration of insulin and IGF-1 in the mother's blood plasma and the birth weight and length of the newborn. A significant relationship was only found between the concentration of IGF-1 in the mother's blood and the Ponderal index of the newborn. A woman's eating habits during pregnancy have a significant impact on the mother's health and on the proper growth and development of the foetus.