Honors Theses
Date of Award
Spring 5-12-2024
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Nutrition and Hospitality Management
First Advisor
Melinda Valliant
Second Advisor
Kritika Gupta
Third Advisor
John Samonds
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
This research paper delves into the relationship between oral health and nutrition status among individuals with food insecurity. As both oral health and nutritional well-being play pivotal roles in overall health, understanding their interplay in the context of food insecurity becomes important. This study investigated how inadequate access to food resources, a characteristic of food insecurity, can impact oral health, leading to a spectrum of dental issues. The study explores the impact of compromised oral health on dietary habits, potentially resulting in nutritional deficiencies or malnutrition. By examining the potential pathways through which these factors influence each other, the study seeks to contribute valuable insights to the broader understanding of health disparities and vulnerabilities faced by food-insecure individuals. All participants were asked anonymously to complete a voluntary questionnaire to assess their nutritional status, nutritional habits, food insecurity level, and oral health history. All participants were 18 years of age or older. During a meeting at a local food pantry, paper copies of the survey were distributed to any patrons (n=20) who wished to participate. The survey took approximately five minutes to complete. After completing the survey, participants received a toiletry bag with oral hygiene items and a pamphlet with dental information.
A total of 20 food pantry patrons completed the survey. Results indicated that a large percentage of food-insecure individuals engage in behaviors that are known to impact both nutritional and oral health (84%). Furthermore, most participants did not adhere to the recommended frequency for dental visits, with only 40% having visited the dentist in the past six months. Lastly, a considerable number of individuals reported that their eating habits and food intake had been influenced by oral pain or issues (30%). In conclusion, the survey findings underscore the need for comprehensive interventions addressing both nutritional and oral health disparities among food-insecure populations, emphasizing the importance of accessible dental care and education to promote overall well-being.
Recommended Citation
Talbot, Abigayle, "Examining the Nexus of Food Insecurity and Oral Health" (2024). Honors Theses. 3037.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/3037
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.