Dietary habits related to caries development and immigrant status in infants and toddlers living in Sweden

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the dietary habits of infants and toddlers livingin Sweden with special reference to caries prevalence at 2 and 3 years of age and to immigrant status. The study was designed as a prospective, longitudinal study starting with 671 children aged 1 year. At 3 years, all children were invited to a further examination. A total of 298 individuals, randomly selected from the original group, were also examined at 2 years. The accompanying parent was interviewed about the child's dietary habits. Children with caries at 2 and 3 years of age and immigrant children had, when they were 1 year old, consumed caries-risk products and been given nocturnal meals and sweetened liquid in a feeding bottle more often than caries-free 2- and 3-year-olds and non-immigrant children. Although a great variation in dietary habits was found in infants and toddlers, the use of sugar-containing products is widespread in Sweden even in early childhood.

Key Words:

• Breast feeding
• feeding bottle
• night meals
• preschool children
• sucking habit