Relationship Between Body Mass Index (BMI) and Severity of Caries Among Primary School Children: A Scoping Review

Abstract

The relationship between body mass index (BMI) and the severity of dental caries in children varies significantly across different age groups, with some studies showing favorable associations. At the same time, some found no or inverse links. This review examines the existing literature on the relationship between BMI and the severity of dental caries among primary school children specifically between the ages of six and 12. This review follows the preferred reporting items for scoping reviews (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR)) guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was performed utilizing PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (WoS) to identify relevant studies published in English from January 2015 to June 2024. Studies on primary school children aged six to 12 years old, BMI, and severity of caries were included. Five hundred and seventy-seven articles were screened with 26 meeting the inclusion criteria. The majority of the studies were cross-sectional in design. The study identified a varied association between BMI and dental caries. Further understanding of this relationship can guide the development of preventive strategies and interventions that address childhood disproportionate BMI and dental caries, ultimately enhancing oral health and overall well-being in this population.