Body Mass Index and Dental Caries in Children

Abstract

Background: Dental caries is the most common chronic childhood disease with serious implications for individual and public health. Obesity is the most common nutritional problem in children and caries are associated with a large number of negative health outcomes. Dental caries in children is reported to affects their anthropometric outcomes, but the evidence is conflicting. Objectives: Based on the differences in the findings of the studies and the possible role of obesity in the pathogenesis of dental caries, the current study aimed to investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and dental caries among children aged three to six years. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 400 children aged three to six years were selected through cluster sampling from Yazd kindergartens, Iran. Weight and height were measured using scale and tape measure, while decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) was recorded through intraoral examination using mirror, probe and flashlight. Then the relationship between calculated growth indices z-score (evaluated by world health organization (WHO) Anthro and WHO AnthroPlus software) and DMFT was considered. The results were analysed using SPSS ver. 20 and Kruskal-Wallis, Spearman correlation coefficient and Pearson tests. Results: An inverse correlation was found between BMI z-score and DMFT (P = 0.006, r = -0.14). Assessment of the effect of demographic variables showed significant relationship in boys (P = 0.01) and children under five years (P = 0.04).Conclusions: It appears that children with a high BMI z-score had lower DMFT and that there is a negative correlation between obesity and tooth decay.

Relationship Between Dental Caries and Body Mass Index in Tunisian Children

“…This study involved 400 children aged 3 to 6 years. It revealed a negative correlation between obesity and mean DMF (12) . The study conducted by Kumar in India did not find an association between BMI and caries in children.…”

“…Many studies have shown that obesity has greatly increased in developed as well as developing countries, particularly in the United States, where one third of the students have high BMI (12,15) . Since the 1980's, the prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased in many countries, including France.…”

Potencial cariogénico de los alimentos en las loncheras y su influencia en la salud bucal de niños preescolares

“…Los efectos negativos de la caries dental en la salud son acumulativos, desde la infancia hasta la edad Diversas investigaciones nos indican que, en la actualidad, gran parte de la población infantil y adolescente presenta obesidad o desnutrición a consecuencia de los malos hábitos alimenticios. Esta situación es preocupante, pues predispone al individuo al desarrollo de enfermedades nutricionales en la edad adulta, tales como anemia, 5 diabetes, hipertensión arterial, entre otras.…”