Nutritional status, feeding behavior, and oral conditions in preschool children exposed to secondhand smoke

Abstract

This study evaluated whether the nutritional status of preschoolers is influenced by secondhand smoke. Pairs of mothers-children (N = 201) were allocated in “children exposed to secondhand smoke (ESHS)” or “not exposed (N_ESHS).” Mothers answered, “The Parental Feeding Style Questionnaire (PFSQ).” The nutritional status and oral conditions were evaluated using WHO criteria. ESHS was 3.5 more likely to have a high BMI and their mothers had 10 kg more than N_ESHS. The probability of having dental caries was 2.28 and 3.68 times greater when the mother’s BMI increases and when family/mothers were smokers, independently whether they smoke in the child’s presence.