The effect of family function on the frequency of sugary diet intake in adolescents with dental caries: the mediating effect of dietary health beliefs
10.3760/cma.j.cn211501-20240924-02627
- VernacularTitle:青少年龋病患者家庭功能对含糖饮食摄入频率的影响：饮食健康信念的中介作用
- Author:
Suyu GAO
1
;
Xue CAI
;
Ya TANG
;
Yingying TANG
;
Mengnan ZHANG
;
Haiyan HU
;
Xing RUAN
;
Cuirong XU
Author Information
1. 南京医科大学附属口腔医院（江苏省口腔医院）儿童口腔预防口腔科，南京 210029
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Adolescent;
Family;
Dental caries;
Mediation analysis;
Dietary sugars
- From:
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing
2025;41(33):2613-2621
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To explore the mediating role of dietary health beliefs in the relationship between family functioning and the frequency of sugar-containing food intake among adolescents with dental caries, in order to clarify the underlying mechanism through which dietary health beliefs influence caries-related dietary behaviors via family factors.Methods:Using convenience sampling method, we selected adolescents patients diagnosed with dental caries and their parents who visited the Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from July to September 2023 as the research subjects. Conducted a cross-sectional survey using a general information questionnaire, Family Functioning Scale, Adolescent Dietary Health Belief Scale, and Sugar-Sweetened Diet Intake Frequency Scale. Mediation analysis was conducted.Results:A total of 475 questionnaires were distributed, and 460 valid responses were obtained, yielding a valid response rate of 96.84%. Among the 460 adolescent patients, 306 were female and 154 were male, with a mean age of (13.42 ± 1.17) years old. The mother's age was (40.28 ± 4.24) years old, and the father's age was (42.12 ± 4.48) years old. The score for the frequency of sugar-containing food intake was 15.95 ± 5.34, the dietary health belief score was 75.57 ± 18.62, and the family functioning score was 174.24 ± 25.39. Family functioning was positively correlated with dietary health beliefs ( r = 0.428, P<0.05), and negatively correlated with the frequency of sugar-containing food intake ( r = -0.225, P<0.05). Dietary health beliefs were negatively correlated with the frequency of sugar-containing food intake ( r = -0.332, P<0.05). The mediating effect of dietary health beliefs on the relationship between family functioning and sugar-containing food intake frequency was -0.332, accounting for 43.92% of the total effect. Conclusions:Dietary health beliefs play a partial mediating role between family function and the frequency of sugary diet intake. It is suggested that family function construction should be strengthened to improve adolescents' health beliefs and reduce the incidence of dental caries.
