Korean J Community Nutr.  2019 Apr;24(2):97-105. 10.5720/kjcn.2019.24.2.97.

Relationship between Complementary Feeding Introduction and Early Childhood Caries: Results from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008–2015

• Yon M
• Shin HS
• Lee HS

• KMID: 2445017
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5720/kjcn.2019.24.2.97

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study examined whether the infant feeding type and duration are related to the introduction of complementary feeding, and whether the appropriate introduction of complementary feeding in infancy is related to tooth decay in toddlers.
METHODS
The subjects were 1,521 toddlers among 2~3 year old children in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2008 to 2015. The toddlers were divided into the appropriate group (4~6 months) and delayed group (>6 months) according to the timing of complementary feeding introduction.
RESULTS
The delayed group were 26.5% of subjects and the formula feeding period in the appropriate group and delayed group was 8.4 and 10.3 months, respectively (P=0.002). On the other hand, there was no difference in the breastfeeding period between the appropriate group and delayed group (P=0.6955). Early childhood caries was more common in the delayed group (P=0.0065). The delayed introduction of complementary feeding was associated with a risk of early childhood caries according to the logistic models (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.27-2.57).
CONCLUSIONS
The introduction of complementary feeding is associated with early childhood caries. Therefore, the importance of the proper introduction of complementary feeding in infancy should be emphasized, and public relations and education for maternal care and breastfeeding should be provided through health care institutions.

Keyword

complementary feeding; infant feeding; early childhood caries; toddler

MeSH Terms

Breast Feeding
Child
Delivery of Health Care
Education
Hand
Humans
Infant
Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena*
Korea*
Logistic Models
Nutrition Surveys*
Public Relations
Tooth

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Distribution of toddlers according to the timing of complementary feeding introduction

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