"Familial Income Status, Food Insecurity, and Oral Health in Adolescent" by Gersom I. Jimeenz

Date of Conferral

1-9-2025

Degree

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

School

Public Health

Advisor

Joseph Robare

Abstract

Oral health and hygiene present a significant public health problem that can cause short- and long-term effects among families with adolescents. This quantitative, correlational research design study aimed to investigate associations between food security (FS) levels and familial income status to oral health and hygiene among adolescents aged 13-19 throughout the United States. This study used the health belief model to determine if the perceived susceptibilities, severities, benefits, and barriers can lead to self-efficacy and cues to action among adolescents who experience varying familial income levels. Controlled variables included age, sex, and race. Data were derived from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and included a sample size of 15,560 respondents. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's r correlation, ANOVA, and linear and multilinear regression tests were conducted. Results showed a non-significant association between increased family income and food security for improved oral health in teenagers. Additionally, results showed that with food security as the moderator, the increase in income levels significantly enhances both the food security levels and oral health in teenagers. Future research and policy should focus on ways to assist communities with obtaining accessible foods that correlate with cooking skill and budget management, which will encourage positive oral health and wellness in communities. It will be through conflated efforts that future generations can obtain the skills to maintain not only their health but the health of their future families. Therefore, it will create cascading healthy lifestyles for upcoming societies.

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