Factors Related to Early Childhood Caries in 17- to 23-Month-Old Children in Aichi Prefecture, Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Dental caries is the most prevalent of chronic oral conditions. We investigated child and parental factors associated with early childhood caries (ECC) in 17- to 23-month-old children in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Of the 61,714 children who underwent a health examination at 18 months of age, 54,206 (27,860 males, 26,346 females) were included in the analysis. The parents of the children completed a self-administered questionnaire comprising items related to the child's eating habits and lifestyle and the parent's lifestyle and childcare factors. Logistic regression analyses were performed using ECC as the dependent variable, and odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. The prevalence of ECC was 0.8%. In the multivariate analysis, children who consumed sweetened beverages daily and snacked frequently had significantly higher ORs for ECC: 1.29 (95% CI: 1.05-1.59) and 1.49 (95% CI: 1.15-1.91), respectively. Bedtime breastfeeding and bottle-feeding were significantly associated with higher ORs for ECC: 4.88 (95% CI: 4.01-5.94) and 2.31 (95% CI: 1.72-3.10), respectively. Not eating breakfast daily and late bedtime were associated with high ORs for ECC: 1.41 (95% CI: 1.02-1.96) and 1.31 (95% CI: 1.05-1.64), respectively. The OR for ECC was significantly higher in children whose father was a smoker than in those whose father was not: 1.44 (95% CI: 1.18-1.76). The OR for ECC was significantly higher in children with no childcare adviser than in those with a childcare adviser: 1.67 (95% CI: 1.06-2.65). Children who had not been vaccinated had a significantly higher OR for ECC compared to children who had: 1.49 (95% CI: 1.14-1.94). These results imply the importance of enhancing parental guidance on the lifestyle habits of children and creating an environment in which parents can consult with others regarding parenting.

Dietitian-supported dietary intervention leads to favorable dietary changes in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized controlled trial.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: It remains to be fully elucidated whether nutrition education by dietitians can lead to specific positive changes in the food choices of patients with diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 96 patients with type 2 diabetes and diabetic kidney disease were randomly assigned to the intensive intervention group that received nutritional education at every outpatient visit and the control group that received nutritional education once a year. The total energy intake, energy-providing nutrients and 18 food groups were analyzed at baseline, and 1 and 2 years after the intervention in 87 patients. Furthermore, the relationship between the changes in hemoglobin A1c, body composition and changes in the total energy or energy-producing nutrient intake was analyzed in 48 patients who did not use or change hypoglycemic agents during the study period. RESULTS: The total energy intake, carbohydrates, cereals, confections, nuts and seeds, and seasonings significantly decreased, and fish and shellfish intake significantly increased during the study period in the intensive intervention group, whereas these changes were not observed in the control group. The decrease in the total energy intake and carbohydrates after 2 years was significantly greater in the intensive intervention group than in the control group. The change in the total energy and carbohydrate intake showed a significant positive correlation with that in muscle mass. The multivariate analysis showed that the decrease in total energy intake was independently associated with that in muscle mass. CONCLUSION: Dietitian-supported intensive dietary intervention helps improve the diet of patients with type 2 diabetes.