Changes in food behavior during the first lockdown of COVID-19 pandemic: A multi-country study about changes in eating habits, motivations, and food-related behaviors.

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in severe, unprecedented changes affecting the world population. Restrictions in mobility, social distancing measures, and the persistent social alarm, during the first period of pandemic, resulted in dramatic lifestyle changes and affected physical and psychological wellbeing on a global scale. An international research team was constituted to develop a study involving different countries about eating motivations, dietary habits and behaviors related with food intake, acquisition, and preparation. This study presents results of an online survey, carried out during the first lockdown, in 2020, assessing food-related behavior and how people perceived them to change, comparatively to the period preceding the COVID-19 outbreak. A total of 3332 responses, collected from 16 countries, were considered for analysis [72.8% in Europe, 12.8% in Africa, 2.2% in North America (USA) and 12.2% in South America]. Results suggest that the main motivations perceived to drive food intake were familiarity and liking. Two clusters were identified, based on food intake frequency, which were classified as "healthier" and "unhealthier". The former was constituted by individuals with higher scholarity level, to whom intake was more motivated by health, natural concerns, and weight control, and less by liking, pleasure or affect regulation. The second cluster was constituted by individuals with a higher proportion of male and intake more influenced by affect-related motivations. During this period, a generalized lower concern with the convenience attributes of foods was noted (namely, choice of processed products and fast-food meals), alongside an increase in time and efforts dedicated to home cooking. Understanding the main changes and their underlying motivations in a time of unprecedented crisis is of major importance, as it provides the scientific support that allows one to anticipate the implications for the future of the global food and nutrition system and, consequently, to take the appropriate action.

Influence of Micronutrient Intake, Sociodemographic, and Behavioral Factors on Periodontal Status of Adults Assisted by a Public Health Care System in Brazil: A Cross-Sectional Multivariate Analysis.

The lack of access to a balanced diet, rich in vitamins and minerals, can predispose people to inflammatory diseases such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, and periodontitis. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between micronutrient intake, sociodemographic behavioral characteristics, and periodontal health in adults assisted by a public health care system. Participants (n = 450) answered a food frequency questionnaire and were submitted to anthropometric and oral clinical examinations. Principal component analysis was used to summarize the number of components emerging from 17-micronutrient intake. Subsequently, cluster analysis was employed. The prevalence of at least one periodontal pocket ≥ 4 mm was 67.4%. Three clusters were identified according to periodontal status. Cluster 1 "poor periodontal status" was characterized by older individuals (n = 202; 85% females) with poor periodontal status, lower education level, mainly smokers with non-transmissible chronic diseases (NTCD), with lower energy, omega-3, fiber, Zn, K, Cu, and vitamin C intake. Cluster 3 "healthy periodontal status" included younger individuals (n = 54) with the healthiest periodontal status, a higher education level, without NTCD, and with higher energy, omega-3, fiber, Zn, calcium, retinol, and riboflavin intake. Cluster 2 was labeled as "intermediate periodontal status". Micronutrient ingestion was associated with periodontal status and may be considered in health promotion actions for low-income populations.

Influence of anthropometry, TMD, and sex on molar bite force in adolescents with and without orthodontic needs.

PURPOSE: Bite force has been studied as representative of functional indices of mastication and its value may have diagnostic significance in disorders of the musculoskeletal system of facial bones. This study aimed to evaluate bite force in adolescents with and without orthodontic needs considering presence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) as well as anthropometry: craniofacial dimensions and body mass index (BMI). METHODS: A total of 80 subjects were screened (61 females, 19 males; 18 ± 3 years old). Unilateral molar bite force was measured using a digital dynamometer with a fork thickness of 12 mm. Direct anthropometry was used to quantify craniofacial measurements. Dental Health Component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN-DHC) and the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) were used to classify samples according to malocclusion and to TMD, respectively. Data were analyzed using normality tests, Mann-Whitney U test, and multiple linear regression analyses with stepwise backward elimination, controlling for the presence of malocclusion and TMD (p ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: The cephalic index was greater in females with malocclusion and the longitudinal cranial diameter was reduced in females with malocclusion. BMI was not different between normal and malocclusion groups for either gender. Bite force was negatively related with vertical dimension of the face, and positively related with facial width and facial index. The model explained 32% of bite force variability, considering the sample size (coefficient of determination R 2 = 0.324). CONCLUSIONS: Even when orthodontic needs and TMD signs and symptoms are present, stronger bite force is still observed in males and in subjects with smaller anterior facial heights and wider facial widths.

Oral physiology and quality of life in cancer patients.

INTRODUCTION: Cancer treatment can affect the health of the teeth and support structures, which are essential to the chewing process, which may change the nutritional status of the patient. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of oral physiology changes on quality of life (QoL) of patients submitted to cancer treatment. DESIGN: Initially 84 cancer patients were screened and only those presenting at least 15 natural teeth were selected for oral physiology and quality of life tests. The final sample comprised 30 patients. Twenty subjects were selected as controls paired by age and gender. Dental caries status, salivary flow, masticatory performance (MP), location of tumor, duration of chemo and radiotherapy and World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL- bref) questionnaire were assessed. Linear regression models were used to test the relationship between the WHOQOL-bref domains (physical, psychological, social relationship, environmental and overall QoL) and independent variables under study. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Number of teeth, MP and salivary flow were lower in cancer patients, as well as for the scores obtained in Social Relationship, Environment and Overall QoL domains (p<0.050). Breast cancer caused a negative impact on Psychological (p<0.001) and Overall QoL scores (p=0.017). A similar negative effect was found for the duration of radiotherapy on Psychological (p=0.012) and Environmental (p=0.039) domains. On the other hand, the maintenance of teeth had a positive impact on Psychological (p=0.012) and Environmental (p=0.024) scores. CONCLUSION: Oral physiology changes may impact the QoL of oncological patients. The maintenance of teeth was of positive importance, especially for the psychological aspects.

Introdución: El tratamiento del cáncer puede afectar la salud de los dientes y estructuras de apoyo, que son esenciales para el proceso de masticación, que pueden cambiar el estado nutricional del paciente. Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el impacto de los cambios fisiológicos orales sobre la calidad de vida (QoL) de los pacientes sometidos a tratamiento contra el cáncer. Metodos: Inicialmente 84 pacientes con cáncer fueron examinados y sólo los que presentan al menos 15 dientes naturales fueron seleccionados para la fisiología oral y la calidad de las pruebas de la vida. La muestra final quedó conformado por 30 pacientes. Veinte sujetos fueron seleccionados como controles emparejados por edad y sexo. Dental estado de la caries, el flujo salival, rendimiento masticatorio (MP), la ubicación del tumor, la duración de la quimioterapia y la radioterapia y lo cuestionario de La Organización Mundial de la Salud Calidad de Vida (WHOQOL-BREF) cuestionario fueron evaluados. Se utilizaron modelos de regresión lineal para probar la relación entre los dominios del WHOQOL-BREF (psicológicos relación física,, social, ambiental y de calidad de vida en general) y variables independientes bajo estudio. Resultados y Discusión: Número de dientes, MP y el flujo salival fueron menores en los pacientes de cáncer, así como para las puntuaciones obtenidas en la relación social, medio ambiente y dominios de calidad de vida general (p.

Oral physiology and quality of life in cancer patients / Fisiología oral y calidad de vida en pacientes con cáncer

Introduction: Cancer treatment can affect the health of the teeth and support structures, which are essential to the chewing process, which may change the nutritional status of the patient. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of oral physiology changes on quality of life (QoL) of patients submitted to cancer treatment. Design: Initially 84 cancer patients were screened and only those presenting at least 15 natural teeth were selected for oral physiology and quality of life tests. The final sample comprised 30 patients. Twenty subjects were selected as controls paired by age and gender. Dental caries status, salivary flow, masticatory performance (MP), location of tumor, duration of chemo and radiotherapy and World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-bref) questionnaire were assessed. Linear regression models were used to test the relationship between the WHOQOL-bref domains (physical, psychological, social relationship, environmental and overall QoL) and independent variables under study. Results and Discussion: Number of teeth, MP and salivary flow were lower in cancer patients, as well as for the scores obtained in Social Relationship, Environment and Overall QoL domains (p< 0.050). Breast cancer caused a negative impact on Psychological (p< 0.001) and Overall QoL scores (p=0.017). A similar negative effect was found for the duration of radiotherapy on Psychological (p=0.012) and Environmental (p=0.039) domains. On the other hand, the maintenance of teeth had a positive impact on Psychological (p=0.012) and Environmental (p=0.024) scores. Conclusion: Oral physiology changes may impact the QoL of oncological patients. The maintenance of teeth was of positive importance, especially for the psychological aspects (AU)

Introducción: El tratamiento del cáncer puede afectar la salud de los dientes y estructuras de apoyo, que son esenciales para el proceso de masticación, que pueden cambiar el estado nutricional del paciente. Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el impacto de los cambios fisiológicos orales sobre la calidad de vida (QoL) de los pacientes sometidos a tratamiento contra el cáncer. Métodos: Inicialmente 84 pacientes con cáncer fueron examinados y sólo los que presentan al menos 15 dientes naturales fueron seleccionados para la fisiología oral y la calidad de las pruebas de la vida. La muestra final quedó conformado por 30 pacientes. Veinte sujetos fueron seleccionados como controles emparejados por edad y sexo. Dental estado de la caries, el flujo salival, rendimiento masticatorio (MP), la ubicación del tumor, la duración de la quimioterapia y la radioterapia y lo cuestionario de La Organización Mundial de la Salud Calidad de Vida (WHOQOL-BREF) cuestionario fueron evaluados. Se utilizaron modelos de regresión lineal para probar la relación entre los dominios del WHOQOL-BREF (psicológicos relación física,, social, ambiental y de calidad de vida en general) y variables independientes bajo estudio. Resultados y Discusión: Número de dientes, MP y el flujo salival fueron menores en los pacientes de cáncer, así como para las puntuaciones obtenidas en la relación social, medio ambiente y dominios de calidad de vida general (p <0,050). El cáncer de mama causó un impacto negativo en la psicológica (p <0,001) y las puntuaciones de calidad de vida global (p = 0,017). Un efecto negativo similar se encontró para la duración de la radioterapia sobre psicológica (p = 0,012) y ambientales (p = 0,039) dominios. Por otra parte, el mantenimiento de dientes tuvo un impacto positivo en la psicológica (p = 0,012) y del Medio Ambiente (p = 0,024) resultados. Conclusión: los cambios orales fisiología pueden afectar la calidad de vida de los pacientes oncológicos. El mantenimiento de dientes fue de importancia positiva, sobre todo por los aspectos psicológicos (AU)