Assessing school effects on dental hygiene and nutrition behaviors of Canadian adolescents

This study examines what school experiences influence dental hygiene and nutrition behaviors of Canadian adolescents from the 1998 Cross-national Survey on Health Behaviors in School-aged Children (HBSC). Multilevel analyses highlight the rare use of dental floss among adolescents. Females are more likely to brush and floss teeth than males. Effective schools in promoting good dental hygiene have positive disciplinary climate, positive peer environment, and positive sense of belonging to school. Results for nutrition behaviors highlight the decline in eating breakfast across grade levels. Males are more likely to eat breakfast and consume junk food than females. Effective schools in promoting healthy nutrition behaviors show strong parental support and positive peer influence. The evidence from this study indicates that school experiences are important to dental hygiene and nutrition behaviors of adolescents.