An epidemiological study of child health and nutrition in a northern Swedish county. VII. A comparative study of general and dental health, food habits and socio-economic conditions in 4-year-old children.

A study of the general and dental health and the food habits of randomly selected 4-year-old Swedish urban children was performed. The results were compared with the findings of an investigation carried out four years earlier in the same area. In comparison with the earlier study no significant differences were found in haemoglobin values, packed red cell volume, microsedimentation rate and anthropometric measurements. The food habits had altered. A reduction in the frequency of between-meal consumption, particularly of sweets and soft drinks, as well as a reduction of the frequency of meat, fish and egg consumption was found. The children had an increased sandwich and milk consumption. The caries frequency was markedly reduced, which might be explained by the decreased between-meal consumption and an increased consumption of fluoride tablets. The food habits and the caries situation were generally influenced by the parents' socio-economic conditions, especially their educational level.