{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,23]],"date-time":"2026-10-23T02:08:03Z","timestamp":1792721283929,"version":"4.5.0"},"reference-count":37,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,16]],"date-time":"2025-12-16T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1765843200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Public Health"],"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Objectives<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>To examine the association between behavioral-related variables (physical activity, BMI, dental check-ups) and dental caries prevalence among university students.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>A cross-sectional study was conducted among 2,322 university students using WHO oral examination criteria and a standardized behavioral questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression was performed adjusting for sex to estimate associations between PA, BMI, dental check-up behaviors and dental caries.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>\n                      The overall caries detection rate among college students was 35.1%. The rate was significantly higher in females (43.1%) than in males (24.1%,\n                      <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\n                      \u202f&amp;lt;\u202f0.01). Binary logistic regression revealed that female gender (odds ratio [OR]\u202f=\u202f2.30, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.90\u20132.79) was a risk factor for dental caries. Protective factors included regular dental examinations (OR\u202f=\u202f0.56, 95% CI: 0.46\u20130.69), moderate-intensity physical exercise \u226530\u202fmin per week (1\u20132 times\/week: OR\u202f=\u202f0.47; 3\u20134 times\/week: OR\u202f=\u202f0.32; \u22655 times\/week: OR\u202f=\u202f0.62), and normal body mass index (BMI; OR\u202f=\u202f0.79, 95% CI: 0.62\u20130.90).\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Caries prevention strategies for college students should incorporate gender-specific approaches, emphasize regular dental examinations, and promote moderate physical exercise to reduce caries risk and support lifelong oral health management.<\/jats:p>\n                  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