AIM: Children's patterns of sugar consumption and dental health status have been associated to their mothers' patterns. As a liking for sweetness has been related to caries levels, this study was carried out to analyse the relationship between sweetness preference and caries experience in mother/child pairs. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a sample of low socio-economic mothers and their 4-5-year-olds from Maringá-Pr, Brazil. Mothers' and children's preference for sugar was measured using the Sweet Preference Inventory. Their caries experience was assessed according to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. RESULTS: High levels of sweetness preference and caries experience were found in the sample studied. Although not strong, a significant correlation in patterns of sweetness preference (r=0.12, P<0.05) and caries experience (r=0.14, P<0.05) between mother/child pairs was identified. Among the social-demographic variables, only family income was statistically associated with the children's preference for sweetness (P<0.05). No significant association between sweetness preference and caries experience could be established. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that mothers may play an important role on the establishment of their children dietary preferences and patterns of dental health. Also, that the socio-economic status may influence children's preference for sugar.
AIM: Children's patterns of sugar consumption and dental health status have been associated to their mothers' patterns. As a liking for sweetness has been related to caries levels, this study was carried out to analyse the relationship between sweetness preference and caries experience in mother/child pairs. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a sample of low socio-economic mothers and their 4-5-year-olds from Maringá-Pr, Brazil. Mothers' and children's preference for sugar was measured using the Sweet Preference Inventory. Their caries experience was assessed according to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. RESULTS: High levels of sweetness preference and caries experience were found in the sample studied. Although not strong, a significant correlation in patterns of sweetness preference (r=0.12, P<0.05) and caries experience (r=0.14, P<0.05) between mother/child pairs was identified. Among the social-demographic variables, only family income was statistically associated with the children's preference for sweetness (P<0.05). No significant association between sweetness preference and caries experience could be established. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that mothers may play an important role on the establishment of their children dietary preferences and patterns of dental health. Also, that the socio-economic status may influence children's preference for sugar.
Authors: Tamanna Tiwari; David O Quissell; William G Henderson; Jacob F Thomas; Lucinda L Bryant; Patricia A Braun; Judith E Albino Journal: J Racial Ethn Health Disparities Date: 2014-09-01
Authors: Peter Milgrom; Kiet A Ly; Ohnmar K Tut; Lloyd Mancl; Marilyn C Roberts; Kennar Briand; Mary Jane Gancio Journal: Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med Date: 2009-07