SNACK FOOD CONSUMPTION OF 12 YEAR OLD INNER-CITY CHILDREN AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO ORAL HEALTH

The relations between reported frequency of consumption of 18 common snack foods, SES variables, and oral health scores were studied in 92 12-year-old children from three inner-city schools in Rochester, New York. The group was composed of 44 males and 48 females who were either black or had a Spanish surname. The study documented only a few significant relations between consumption of snack foods and DMF scores or overall oral health. Reported cake consumption correlated positively with total debris and gingivitis, and consumption of chewy candy and ice cream was positively related to DMF scores. Black females exhibited the greatest number of decayed and DMF teeth, and both male and female black children had significantly greater amounts of total debris, gingivitis and decayed teeth.