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Clinical Oral Investigations

Published in:

01-06-2013 | Original Article

Sweets consumption of preschool children—extent, context, and consumption patterns

Authors: Sven Schneider, Moran Jerusalem, Johannes Mente, Freia De Bock

Published in: Clinical Oral Investigations | Issue 5/2013

Abstract

Objectives

Sweets consumption is one of the risk factors of caries, especially among children. The aim of our study was to explore the extent and context of preschoolers’ sweets consumption and to identify high-risk groups.

Materials and methods

The baseline cross-sectional data used originated from a nutritional intervention study encompassing 879 parental surveys, which were obtained in 52 kindergartens in Baden-Württemberg—the third largest federal state in Germany—between September and March 2009. Our outcome variable “sweets consumption” was operationalized using food-frequency items and analyzed by testing the influence of sociodemographic, educational, cultural, and family context covariates.

Results

Most preschoolers consumed sweets every day—on average 9.7 ± 6.2 times per week. Most popular were cookies, gummy bears, and chocolate. Sweets consumption did not correlate significantly with sociodemographic factors like age and sex but rather was associated with cultural and contextual factors such as immigrant background, parental education, specific nutritional knowledge levels, and access arrangements in the home.

Conclusions

The consumption patterns identified are a result of high availability and parental influence (factors such as parents’ knowledge levels, interest in, and habits regarding their child’s nutrition).

Clinical relevance

Dental practitioners should place more emphasis on gathering information from young patients regarding excessive and frequent consumption of sweets and consequently on trying to educate the children and their parents on oral health risks associated with such consumption. Particular attention is to be paid to children of Turkish and Arabic decent, as they have been shown to consume above-average amounts of sweets.

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Title: Sweets consumption of preschool children—extent, context, and consumption patterns
Authors: Sven Schneider
Moran Jerusalem
Johannes Mente
Freia De Bock
Publication date: 01-06-2013
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Clinical Oral Investigations / Issue 5/2013
Print ISSN: 1432-6981
Electronic ISSN: 1436-3771
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-012-0813-2

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Sweets consumption of preschool children—extent, context, and consumption patterns

Abstract

Objectives

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

Clinical relevance

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

Clinical relevance

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