Risk Factors of Dental Caries: Consumption of Sugary Snacks Among Indonesian Adolescents

Objective: To determine the risk factors of caries among adolescents in Padang City, by assessing the frequency of sugary snack consumption. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 randomly selected junior high school students using a selfadministered questionnaire along with oral examinations. The questionnaire consisted of questions on socio-demographic characteristics, oral health behavior, and frequency of consumption of sugary foods. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square tests and multivariate analysis. Results: Dental caries was found in 61% of the total students and was more prevalent in males when compared with females. The mean DMFT score was 1.3±1.4. Sugary snack consumption, attitude, and protective factors were significantly related to the occurrence of caries (p<0.001). The risk of dental caries in subjects with high amounts of sugary snack consumption was 5.67 times higher (OR=5.7; CI: 2.7-11.9) than those with low consumption. Subjects with low protective factors, high consumption of sugary foods and drinks, and bad attitude presented with a caries prevalence of 94%. Conclusion: The consumption of sugary foods was found to play an important role in the development of caries in the current study.

Avaliação do consumo de alimentos açucarados por crianças menores de 5 anos / Evaluation of the consumption of sugary foods by children under 5 years of age

Introdução: A alta ingestão de alimentos açucarados por crianças causa graves consequências a curto e a longo prazo. Este trabalho analisou a frequência de consumo de alimentos açucarados por crianças de 6 meses a 59 meses. Método: Estudo transversal, de base populacional e domiciliar.A amostra foi composta por 660 crianças com idade entre 6 e 59 meses. Foram investigadas as variáveis idade da criança, escolaridade da mãe, classe econômica e consumo alimentar. Utilizou-se o teste Qui Quadrado de Pearson e considerou-se p<0,05. Resultados: A maioria das crianças tinha idade superior a 24 meses (64,24%). A classe econômica mais prevalente na amostra foi a classe C (51,67%) e a maioria das mães (58,93%) tinha idade entre 20 e 30 anos de idade. Os alimentos açucarados mais consumidos diariamente pelas crianças foram açúcar (58,18%) e achocolatado em pó (43,64%). O consumo de alimentos açucarados apresentou associação positiva com idade da criança (p<0,05), classe econômica e a escolaridade da mãe. Conclusão: O consumo de alimentos açucarados foi alto nas crianças com idade acima de 24 meses. Todos os alimentos analisados tiveram relação positiva com a idade da criança. A escolaridade materna teve relação com o consumo de bolacha com recheio, café com açúcar, refrigerante, e suco artificial. E a renda familiar teve relação com café com açúcar, iogurte e suco artificial.(AU)

Introduction: A high intake of sugary foods by children causes severe consequences in the short and long term. This study was analyzed the frequency of consumption of sugary foods by children 6 months to 59 months. Methods: Cross-sectional study, population and household basis. The sample consist of 660 children aged 6 to 59 months. The variables age of the child were investigated, mother's education, economic class and food consumption. We used the Chi-Square test and Pearson was considered at p<0.05. Results: Most of the children were older than 24 months (64.24%). The most prevalent economic class in the sample was the class C (51.67%) and most mothers (58.93%) were aged between 20 and 30 years old. The more sugary foods consumed daily by children were sugar (58.18%) and chocolate powder (43.64%). The consumption of sugary foods showed a positive association with the child's age (p<0.05), economic class and mother's education. Conclusion: Consumption of sugary food was high in children over 24 months. All foods were analyzed positive relationship with the children age. Maternal education was related to the wafer consumption with stuffing, coffee with sugar, soda and artificial juice. Family's income was related to coffee with sugar, yogurt, and artificial juice.(AU)