Association between household food insecurity and oral health conditions in children and adolescents of Ecuador: a cross-sectional national study

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Household food consumption patterns serve as valuable indi- cators of Household Food Insecurity (HFI), which is increasingly recognized as a key social determinant of oral health (OH). However, the relationship between HFI and OH problems among Ecuadorian children and adolescents remains insufficiently explored. The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between HFI, measured by indica- tors of household food consumption, and OH problems among Ecuadorian children and adolescents aged 5 to 17 years...