Effects of Stress Perception Level on Dietary Habits and Oral Health Behaviors in Adolescents

Park, Ji Young; Kim, Sun Mi

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship that adolescent stress perception level has with dietary habits and oral health behaviors in high school students. A survey of high school students in some areas of the Jeollabuk-do province of South Korea was conducted. Five hundred fourteen survey responses were used in the final analysis. As a result of the questionnaire survey, the following conclusions were obtained. The highest stress type was indicated to be academic stress (mean±standard deviation [SD], 3.09±0.89). The next was shown to be home (family) stress (mean±SD, 2.85±0.84). The possibility of using a dental clinic was indicated to be less in girls than boys (p<0.001). Regarding subjective oral health behavior, the possibility of visiting a dental clinic was low in those who thought that their own oral health condition was not good or moderate (p<0.05). Also, it was shown that the higher stress led to the higher possibility of visiting a dental clinic (p<0.01). Students with higher grades had a in the upper ranks were indicated to have high possibility of having a regular meal (p<0.01). Higher stress led to the significantly higher possibility of eating cariogenic food (p<0.01). Students with median grades had a high possibility of eating cariogenic food (p<0.01), while students with higher grades had a low possibility of eating cariogenic food (p<0.05). These resultss show that stress perception level influences dietary habits and oral health behaviors. Thus, there is a need to develop a program in high scholls to promote the physical and mental health of students to relieve stress. Substantial and systematic oral health education is thought to be likely needed to develop desirable dietary habits.