Dietary Factors and Dental Caries among Adolescents: Eight-Year Follow-up Study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to conduct a longitudinal investigation of the associations between changes in dietary factors and changes in caries experience among Finnish children and adolescents participating in the Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children (PANIC) study.

Methods: Among 487 children included at baseline at the age of 6 to 8 y, 406 were reexamined at 2-y follow-up and 202 at 8-y follow-up. Food consumption, nutrient intake, and eating frequency were assessed using 4-d food records; diet quality was assessed using the Baltic Sea Diet Score; and eating behavior was evaluated using the Children's and Adult's Eating Behaviour Questionnaires.