Prevalence and Association of Emotional Eating with Dental Caries in Indian College Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction :  Eating behavior is influenced by many factors including stress and psychological factors. Stress eating or emotional eating often leads to intake of high sugar food. Diet plays a very important role in the development of dental caries, especially sugar. The objective was to analyze the potential relationship between emotional eating behaviors and caries experience in university attending students, and to assess prevalence of dental caries among university students in Faridabad city, Haryana, India.                                                   

 Methods: The study involved 510 students between the age group of 18 to 25 years. A questionnaire of 15 questions was designed to assess emotional eating habits in the students. Dental caries status was evaluated using the WHO criteria for decayed, missing, and filled teeth. (DMFT)  

Results:  The study revealed the total emotional eating score among males and females was a significant factor influencing DMFT scores in the subjects. (p<0.001)  

Conclusion: Overall, this study showed a statistically significant correlation between Emotional eating and caries experience.