Investigation of nutrition behaviour of school-age children with dental problem and their mothers' nutritional literacy

This research was conducted to investigate the nutritional behaviors of school-age children with dental problems and their mothers' nutritional literacy. This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted in Gaziantep University Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Pedodontics, between April-September 2021. The population of the study consists of 9004 school-age children and their mothers who applied to Gaziantep University Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Pedodontics with dental problems between April and September 2021. The sample of the study consists of 250 children and mothers. In the study, "Socio-demographic Form", "Nutrition Behavior Scale" and "Adult Nutrition Literacy" scale were used as data collection forms. The data were evaluated in the SPSS 23.0 statistical package program. According to the study findings; It was determined that the total mean score of the children's nutrition behavior scale was 3.78±5.06. The mean total score of the adult nutrition literacy scale was found to be 25.75±5.72. According to the children's nutrition behavior scale, it was determined that the positive eating behaviors of the children were lower than the nutrition behaviors of the adults. According to the total adult nutritional literacy score, it was determined that the nutritional literacy was at a sufficient level. It is important to gain healthy eating habits in childhood, healthy living habits such as regular tooth brushing, to develop nutritional literacy in adults, and to protect and maintain oral and dental health and general health.