Anthropometric Status, Diet, and Dental Caries among Schoolchildren

Abstract

Childhood dental caries and obesity are prevalent health problems. Results from previous studies of the caries–obesity relationship are conflicting. This study aimed to assess the association between anthropometric status and dental caries among schoolchildren, taking into account dietary habits, oral hygiene, and sociodemographic factors. This cross-sectional study recruited 569 children aged 6–12 years from five elementary schools in central Taiwan. Each child underwent an oral health examination and anthropometric measurements. The DMFT (decayed, missing due to caries, and filled permanent teeth) and deft (decayed, extracted, and filled primary teeth) indexes were calculated to record caries experience. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on food intake frequency and other related factors. The World Health Organization’s reference data was applied to define weight status: obese, overweight, and normal/underweight. The results showed that the mean (±standard deviation) deft and DMFT scores were 2.3 ± 2.6 and 0.7 ± 1.2, respectively, among participating children. The prevalence of obesity and overweight was 18.1% and 18.5%, respectively. After comprehensive evaluation of potential confounders, weight status was not an independent predictor of DMFT or deft scores in the negative binomial regression models. In conclusion, weight status was not associated with caries scores in primary or permanent teeth among 6–12 year-old schoolchildren.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to Assess Dental Caries, Overweight and Obesity in Schoolchildren in the City of Alfenas, Brazil

“…The analysis of the maps of the urban region of Alfenas suggested that the hot spots of overweight/obesity correlated with cavitated dental caries and occurred distant from the central area (the northeast and southwest areas). This data matches with other cross-sectional epidemiological studies that have reported the most socioeconomically vulnerable population located at the neighborhoods [33][34][35]. The populations distant from central areas are commonly associated with a vulnerable economic status, a higher risk for environmental-associated diseases, and inadequate nutrition [36].…”

Nutritional and Oral Hygiene Knowledge versus Reported Behavior of Children and Adolescents—A Cross-Sectional Interview-Based Study

“…Vallejos-Sánchez et al showed that girls and older children are brushing more frequently, confirming our results [25]. Nevertheless, we could not detect differences between younger and older children (children aged [6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. Honkala et al investigated trends in toothbrushing in 20 countries/regions from 1994 to 2010 also finding out girls had a higher prevalence of brushing teeth more than once/day than boys in all countries/regions.…”

“…Like dental caries, obesity influences quality of life and alters physical and psychosocial health. Furthermore, there is an increasing risk of becoming obese in adulthood when suffering from multiple diseases, e.g., diabetes and cardiovascular problems [ 9 ]. Various factors influence the development of obesity (e.g., behavior, genes, the environment), while weight reduction counteracts it and alleviates its consequences.…”

“…Obesity and overweight frequently affect children worldwide. In 2016, 18% of 5–9-year-old children and adolescents suffered from obesity or overweight [ 9 ]. A review, published in 2021, confirmed sports, diet, and a change in behavior to be effective against obesity and overweight [ 10 ].…”

A Bibliometric Analysis of Literature on the Impact of Diet on Oral Health

“…The frequency with which food is consumed, along with the types of foods chosen and the consistency of the diet, collectively contribute to either the maintenance or degradation of oral health. For instance, diets high in sugars and carbohydrates have been consistently linked to an increased risk of dental caries [ 6 - 9 ], periodontal diseases [ 10 - 13 ], and oral cancers [ 14 , 15 ]. Conversely, the state of oral health can significantly impact an individual's ability to maintain a nutritious diet [ 16 ], affecting aspects such as mastication, taste perception, and nutritional intake.…”