Dieta e higiene bucal: o impacto dos aspectos psicológicos parentais em hábitos saudáveis das crianças

Abstract

The early years of childhood play a crucial role in establishing healthy behaviors and habits that influence health throughout life. Oral health habits and behaviors in children are influenced by parents/caregivers, who serve as role models for these individuals. Therefore, some psychological aspects of parents can influence these behaviors, contributing to children's oral disease outcomes, such as Parental Health Locus of Control and Parenting Style. The present study aimed to investigate how the psychological aspects of parents/caregivers can influence diet and oral hygiene habits in children during the early years of life. This cross-sectional study was conducted with parents/caregivers of children aged 3 to 6 years, residing in Goianá – Brazil. The parents/caregivers answered a questionnaire containing sociodemographic information and data about their children's diet and oral hygiene. Additionally, parents/caregivers responded to the Parental Health Locus of Control (PHLOC) and the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ). Data analysis included descriptive analysis, Chi-square tests, linear-by-linear association, Student's t-test, and binary logistic regression (p<0.05). A total of 98 parents/caregivers completed the questionnaires, with 93.9% being mothers. The average age of the children was 62.0 (±11.292) months, and the majority were female (55.6%). Logistic regression demonstrated that an increase of one point in the "powerful others" domain of the PHLOC of parents/caregivers represents a 1.185 (OR=1.185; 95%CI = 1.003-1.399) times increase in the chance of their children consuming sugar 3 or more times a day. There was no association between daily tooth brushing frequency and sociodemographic criteria and psychological aspects (p>0.05). The "powerful others" domain of the PHLOC of parents/caregivers was a determinant for the frequency of sugar intake of their children. Parental psychological aspects did not influence the frequency of children's tooth brushing.