AlJohara Al Hussyeen.
Types of snacks and drinks available in female primary schools in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in relation to the dental health of Children.
J Pak Dent Assoc Jan ;13(1):13-7.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the types of snacks and drinks available in female primary schools in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and to discuss their relationship to dental health. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twelve public and 8 private schools were randomly selected from each residential area in Riyadh (South, North, East, West, and Central), making a total of 60 public and 40 private schools. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to the canteen personnel in each school. Fifty seven of the returned questionnaires were suitable for analysis. RESULTS: Results showed that about 60% of the schools offered potato chips and the most popular flavors consumed were chilli and salty/sour which constituted 89.5%. Wafer chocolate bars were provided in 63.2% of the schools. Plain chocolate bars were found among 50% of public schools as compared to only 16% of private schools (p<0.008). Soft drinks were available in 28.1% of public schools as compared to only 8% by private schools, the difference between the schools was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.056). More than 78% of public schools provided hard candies compared to 12% of private schools (p<0.0001). All the surveyed private schools offered sandwiches and pizzas compared to nearly 75% of public schools (p < 0.011) and the most popular type of stuffing were cheese or cheese with olives. Two-third of the private schools provided different types of doughnuts as compared to about 36% of public schools and the most popular type consumed was chocolate (p<0.034). CONCLUSION: It can be concluded from the study that the majority of the snacks/drinks available to the children through school canteens are dentally unhealthy especially in the public schools.

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