[Taste preference for sweets and caries prevalence in preschool children]

Nutrient intake, introduction of baby cereals and other complementary foods in the diets of infants and toddlers from birth to 23 months of age

INTRODUCTION

Understanding which foods are introduced in the diet and when provides valuable information on complementary feeding. Fortified baby rice cereal is the most common first solid food given to infants, often followed by other baby cereals. The objective of this study was to examine food patterns among infants and toddlers consuming rice or non-rice baby cereals versus non-consumers.

METHODS

NHANES 2001-2014 data were used to assess dietary intake, nutrient adequacy, and food specific patterns of infants and toddlers. Groups were: baby cereal non-consumers (n = 3,910), non-rice baby cereal consumers (n = 711), and rice baby cereal consumers (n = 966). Those consuming both non-rice cereal and rice cereal were included in the rice cereal group (n = 9, 48, 61, and 10 for those 0-3, 4-6, 7-11, and 12-23 mos, respectively). Least-square means ± SEs were determined for nutrient intake and food group consumption by using covariate controlled regression analyses (p < 0.01).

RESULTS

Baby cereal consumer groups, compared to non-consumers, had higher intakes of carbohydrates, iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and vitamin E, with lower percentage having intakes below the Estimated Average Requirement for iron, calcium, and vitamin E. Infants 0-3 mos and 4-6 mos in both baby cereal consumption groups consumed other solid foods, including baby foods and beverages, sweetened beverages, coffee and tea, 100% juice, vegetables (excluding potatoes), fruit, sugars, milk and yogurt, and mixed dishes. The baby cereal consumers and non-consumers groups had intakes aligned with the "American diet". Baby cereal non-consumers had a significantly higher percentage of exclusively breast fed at ages 0-3 mos and a lower percentage formula fed.

CONCLUSION

This study provides detailed information on the introduction of baby cereals which was associated with better nutrient intakes and other complementary foods and intakes of nutrients that require special attention during early life. Further, cow's milk products and solid foods were introduced prior to the American Academy of Pediatrics' age recommendations.

Cárie dentária em crianças de 5 anos: fatores sociodemográficos, lócus de controle e atitudes parentais

Resumo A cárie dentária afeta grande parte das crianças, principalmente as de baixo nível socioeconômico. Neste estudo, de delineamento transversal, objetivou-se investigar o papel de fatores sociodemográficos, atitudes parentais e do Lócus de Controle, indicador da percepção pessoal sobre o que controla a saúde do sujeito, na prevalência de cárie em pré-escolares de cinco anos, moradores de cidade de médio porte paulista. Avaliou-se o índice ceo-d de 426 crianças; os pais informaram sobre as características sociodemográficas, responderam a dois questionários de Lócus de Controle e um de atitudes parentais. Os resultados mostraram que 52,35% dos pré-escolares apresentaram cárie, com a severa em níveis mais altos nos estratos mais baixos E-F. Nível socioeconômico mais alto e baixa externalidade mostraram-se como fatores de proteção. Baixa internalidade parental apareceu como um fator de risco para cárie nos dentes decíduos, possivelmente porque a mãe espera ou delega a ação a outros, retardando os cuidados. A percepção parental de controle sobre a saúde do filho parece favorecer cuidados preventivos e, consequentemente, o nível de cárie da criança.

Elderly at greater risk for root caries: a look at the multifactorial risks with emphasis on genetics susceptibility

Root caries is one of the most significant dental problems among older adults today. Many studies have demonstrated that older adults are at greater risk for developing root caries. Here we examine what risk factors older adults are prone to and explain how they contribute to higher rates of oral disease, in particular root caries. The elderly are at risk for root caries due to dentures, lack of dexterity, a shift from complex to simple sugars, and poor oral hygiene. Decreased salivary flow and its manifestations with other social/behavioral and medical factors may provide a more comprehensive explanation to a higher frequency of root caries in older adults.

Innate and learned preferences for sweet taste during childhood

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

In nature, carbohydrates are a source of energy often equated with sweetness, the detection of which is associated with powerful hedonic appeal. Intakes of processed carbohydrates in the form of added sugars and sugar-sweetened beverages have risen consistently among all age groups over the last two decades. In this review, we describe the biological underpinnings that drive the consumption of sweet-tasting foods among pediatric populations.

RECENT FINDINGS

Scientific literature suggests that children's liking for all that is sweet is not solely a product of modern-day technology and advertising but reflects their basic biology. In fact, heightened preference for sweet-tasting foods and beverages during childhood is universal and evident among infants and children around the world. The liking for sweet tastes during development may have ensured the acceptance of sweet-tasting foods, such as mother's milk and fruits. Moreover, recent research suggests that liking for sweets may be further promoted by the pain-reducing properties of sugars.

SUMMARY

An examination of the basic biology of sweet taste during childhood provides insight, as well as new perspectives, for how to modify children's preferences for and intakes of sweet foods to improve their diet quality.

Dental caries in children that participated in a dental program providing mother and child care

The main goal of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of caries in children that participate in a dental program attending mothers and children in Teresina, Piauí, Brazil. A selection was made of 343 children of both genders, from 3 to 6 years of age. The mothers answered questionnaires and children were examined at the Infant Dental Clinic of the Federal University of Piauí. The epidemiological index dmft was applied and active white spot lesions were included. The SPSS for Windows program, version 11.1 was used and non-parametric tests carried out (Friedman and Kruskal-Wallis). An alpha error of 5% (0.05) was considered for the null hypothesis of false rejection, with a confidence interval of 95%. The results showed that 57.5% (197) of the children were breast-fed for a period longer than 12 months. The mean dmft index and percentages of caries-free children at the age of 3 was 1.86 (58.82%); at 4 years of age 1.94 (57.60%); at 5 years of age 1.98 (56.86%) and at 6 years of age 2.42 (42.55%). The decay component (d) was prevalent at all ages. When active white spot lesions were added to the dmft index, there was an increase of 7.2% for children who had caries activity and/or previous caries experience and 2.61% for those with dmft equal to zero. The daily consumption of fermentable carbohydrates and free demand breast-feeding were factors increasing caries activity. Dental follow-up after the program and the number of daily brushings were shown to be factors providing protection against caries. Based on the results, the authors were able to conclude that the program caused a positive impact on caries disease control, as the number of dental appointments kept influenced the dmft index values in a statistically significant manner.

Heritability estimates for dental caries and sucrose sweetness preference

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine heritability estimates for dental caries traits and sucrose sweetness preference.

DESIGN

Participants included 115 pairs of twins 4-7-years-old. Caries exams followed NIDCR criteria where the severity of the lesion was also determined. Twins ranked their preference for five concentrations of sucrose/grape juice solutions (0.15-1.17M) with a Face Scale. Variables submitted to analysis: (1) surface-based caries prevalence rate (SBCPR); (2) lesion severity index (LSI); (3) sucrose sweetness preference score (SSPS). Heritability analyses were performed with the SOLAR software package.

RESULTS

Heritability estimates adjusted for age and gender were: SBCPR-h(2)=64.6 (p<.00001), LSI-h(2)=61.7 (p<.00001) and SSPS-h(2)=55.2 (p<.00001). Treating SPSS as a covariate in the SBCPR and LSI models did not alter heritability estimates.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that variation in dental caries traits and sucrose sweetness preference have a significant genetic contribution that is mediated independently.

Prevalência de cárie e fatores associados em crianças da comunidade do Vietnã, Recife

OBJETIVOS: conhecer a prevalência de cárie e fatores associados em crianças de 6 a 12 anos cadastradas na unidade de saúde da família do Vietnã, Recife. MÉTODOS: inquérito realizado de setembro a novembro de 2002. A amostra de 128 crianças foi estratificada por idade e microárea, calculada com 90% de prevalência de cárie, 5% de erro e 10% de perdas. Utilizaram-se ficha clínica para avaliar a condição dentária (preenchida após calibração por dois cirurgiões-dentistas) e questionário. RESULTADOS: 14,1% das crianças estavam livres de cárie. Aos 11 e 12 anos, num pólo, 29,7% tinham o CPO-D (número de dentes permanentes cariados, perdidos e restaurados) = 0, noutro, 29,7% valores entre 4-8. O CPO-D diminui significativamente com o crescimento da renda familiar (p=0,02). O número de dentes decíduos cariados, perdidos e restaurados (ceo-d) atinge valor máximo aos sete anos (4,50) - idade que acumula a maior experiência relativa de cárie e necessidade de tratamento - sendo quase significativamente maior (p=0,05) nas famílias com maior número de filhos com até 12 anos (4,50). A escolaridade dos responsáveis, o número de limpezas diárias e o acesso à atenção odontológica não afetam esses índices. CONCLUSÕES: a alta prevalência e polarização da cárie reiteram a importância de conhecer as necessidades de saúde para priorizar os grupos mais vulneráveis.

Sweet and sour preferences during childhood: role of early experiences

We investigated the effects of early experience on sweet and sour preferences in children. Eighty-three children were divided into four groups based on the type of formula fed during infancy and age. By using a forced-choice, sip-and-swallow procedure, we determined the level of sweetness and sourness preferred in juice. Children who were fed protein hydrolysate formulas, which have a distinctive sour and bitter taste and unpleasant odor, preferred higher levels of citric acid in juice when compared to older children who were fed similar formulas. No such difference was observed between the groups for sweet preference. However, the level of sweetness preferred in juice was related to the sugar content of the child's favorite cereal and whether the mother routinely added sugar to their foods. These data illustrate the wide variety of experiential factors that can influence flavor preferences during childhood.

The relationship between sweetness preference and dental caries in mother/child pairs from Maringá-Pr, Brazil

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.