Availability of Cariogenic Foods in Primary School Canteens of Abha City, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective To obtain base line data about the availability of cariogenic foods in the primary school canteens in the city of Abha, Saudi Arabia. Materials and methods The present study was performed in 6 to 10-year-old school boys living in Abha city in 2012. Eight public primary schools with canteen facilities were randomly selected and all the children in the schools were included in the study. Data was collected to know the availability of foods which are cariogenic and the students were made to answer a questionnaire that had questions about their source of food intake. Results A total number of 1,807 primary school students participated in the study. 87% of the items available in school canteens were cariogenic and only 13% were noncariogenic. 1505 (83%) school children get food from home, 263 (15%) depend entirely on the canteen, 1320 (73%) eat from both home and canteen and only 158 (8%) of the school children rely entirely on homemade food. Conclusion The canteens should reinforce the classroom programs relating to food, nutrition and health. Standard guidelines have to be implemented throughout Saudi Arabia about eating habits in school and improve the overall nutritional quality of school food. How to cite this article Togoo RA, Meer Z, Kandlaya R, Yaseen SM, Al-Shehri TD, Al-Ghamdi HG. Availability of Cariogenic Foods in Primary School Canteens of Abha City, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study. World J Dent 2012;3(3):239-242.