The association between dental caries and television viewing among Chinese adolescents in Guangxi, China

BACKGROUND Television viewing has been implicated as a possible risk factor for the increase in a number of chronic diseases, particularly those related to sedentary life style. Given the rapid economic and societal changes in China over the past few decades, this study aimed to examine the association between dental caries experience and television viewing among Chinese adolescents. METHODS This study utilized data pertaining to the province of Guangxi from the 2010 National Physical Fitness and Health Surveillance, a national survey of school children and adolescents in China. The survey used stratified sampling methods. Four experienced dentists conducted the clinical examination in each province. The survey included data on socio-demographic and behavioural factors including television viewing and a clinical dental examination. Regression models were used to examine the association between time spent viewing television and mean DMFT and untreated caries among 12-17 year-old adolescents, adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, area of residence, and markers of dietary habits. RESULTS The prevalence of caries in this sample was 52.3%. Longer duration of television viewing was significantly and consistently associated with greater number for decayed teeth and higher DMFT among Chinese adolescents. The relationship persisted even after adjusting for demographic and behavioural factors. Being female, living in rural area, being of Zhuang ethnicity were all significantly associated with higher levels of dental caries. CONCLUSIONS This study showed, for the first time in China, that television viewing is associated with risk of developing dental caries among adolescents. Future research should examine potential pathways linking television viewing and dental caries among Chinese adolescents.