Although studies are limited in the pediatric population, one study indicated that adolescents aged 17 to 21 years had
an increased risk of periodontal disease for each one kg in-
crease in body weight and one cm increase in waist circum-
ference.20 Incipient periodontal disease has been found to be
increased in children and adolescents with diabetes.21 Excessive consumption of fruit juice has been associated with small
stature in some children.22 It has been shown that nearly 54
percent of US preschool children were given some form of
over-the-counter (OTC) medications, most commonly as
analgesics, antipyretics, and cough and cold medications.23
Numerous OTC and prescribed oral liquid medications have
been found to have a high sugar content to increase palata-
bility and acceptance by children.24-26 Frequent ingestion of
sugar-sweetened medications has demonstrated a higher
incidence of caries in chronically ill children.24,25,27-29