Intake of sweet foods and counts of cariogenic microorganisms in relation to body mass index and psychometric variables in women.

Abstract

As a part of the SPAWN (Stockholm Pregnancy and Women's Nutrition) study, the intake of sweet foods (habitual and pre-menstrual intakes) and the number of cariogenic microorganisms in saliva was analysed in relation to body mass index (BMI) and psychometric variables. A cross-sectional study. Three hundred and sixty-two women with a median BMI of 24.2 kg/m(2) (range 17.5-47.8) and 45 y of age (range 34-64). A questionnaire of sweet food intake, salivary counts of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli and a self-rating scale on psychometric variables (CPRS-S-A). The number of mutans streptococci correlated with BMI (P<0.05), indirectly indicating a higher intake of sweet foods in obese women. The reported energy intake of sweet foods (more specifically the intake of chocolate), correlated with CPRS scores (P<0.01), indicating that women with more severe psychiatric symptomatology have higher intakes of sweet foods. This study suggests that women with higher CPRS score have higher energy intakes of sweet foods, indicating a possible link between mood regulation and the intake of sweet food. Karolinska Institute Research Funds.