CONSUMPTION OF JUNK FOOD; A CAUSE OF DENTAL CARIES AMONG EARLY CHILDHOOD

Unfortunately, today's world has been adapted to a system of consumption of junk foods which has several adverse effects on health. Thus the study was conducted to find out the food habits and problems associated with fast food consumption amongst the children of 3-6 years of age of Pilibhit District of UP. The result showed that cent per cent respondents consumed candies followed by potato chips, chocolate, ice-cream and soft drink, as 93.33 %, 90 %, 96.66 %, and 66.66 % respectively. Besides this the frequency of consumption was also very high. It was seen that due to the food consumption pattern the respondents were having the problem of dental caries (100%) halitosis (bad smell) (93.33 %) severe decay (93.33%) pain in teeth while consuming sweet hot and cold (80%) chalky white spots (80%) plague deposit on teeth surface (73.33 %) and brown spots (66.66 %). Junk food can affect a child's physical development in detrimental ways, including unhealthy weight gain, which can result in self-esteem problems in future also. Thus it should be controlled.