Prevalence of obesity among preschool children and its relation with dental caries

Prevalence of Obesity and Dental Caries in Kindergarten Children During the First Decade of Saudi Vision 2030: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Obesity and dental caries are significant health issues affecting children worldwide. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of obesity and dental caries among kindergarten children in Saudi Arabia during the early implementation years of the Vision 2030 initiative. Specifically, it examines the obesity rates between public and private kindergartens and assesses the correlation between obesity and caries risk.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study involving a stratified sample of 347 kindergarten children in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from September 2022 to March 2023, as part of a larger project assessing the obesity and dental caries prevalence in school-aged children. Their body mass index (BMI) was computed after their weight and height were measured. Following an oral examination, the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft) scores were noted. The relationships between dmft and BMI, sex, and school type were studied using non-parametric tests, and its predictors were assessed as well.

RESULTS

Our findings indicate that 15.3% of the children were classified as obese based on the BMI measurements, while 9.8% were categorized as overweight. The prevalence of obesity did not show significant differences by school type when classified by BMI. The mean dmft score was 2.8 ± 3.6, with those children in public kindergartens demonstrating significantly higher dmft scores compared to their private counterparts (p < 0.001). Notably, there was no observed relationship between obesity and caries activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the implementation of Saudi Vision 2030, the high prevalence of obesity and dental caries among kindergarten children suggests that the current health initiatives may be insufficient. The lack of a relationship between obesity and caries activity highlights the complexity of these health issues and the need for targeted interventions. To improve the health outcomes, it is recommended to enhance the awareness campaigns regarding oral health and nutrition, increase access to preventive dental care, and integrate nutrition education into kindergarten curricula.

Association of Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference With Dental Caries and Consequences of Untreated Dental Caries Among 12- to 14-Year-old Boys: A Cross-Sectional Study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) and dental caries (DC), and the clinical consequences of untreated dental caries (U-DC) among 12- to 14-year-old male public-school adolescents in the Northern Province, Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

The demographic and anthropometric measurements of 302 boys 12 to 14 years of age (mean: 12.5 years) were recorded. BMI and central obesity (based on WC) were measured. The decayed-missing-filled teeth (DMFT) index was used to record DC. The pulp involvement, ulceration, fistula, abscess (PUFA) index was used to quantify the clinical consequences of U-DC. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the risk factors related to DC and clinical consequences of U-DC.

RESULTS

A high prevalence of DC was found in adolescents who were underweight according to BMI and nonobese based on WC (46.7% vs 34.5%). The association between underweight (BMI) and obese (WC) with DC (odds ratio [95% CI]) was 1.91 (0.87, 4.18) and 0.34 (0.18, 0.63), respectively, while with PUFA (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]; 95%CI), it was 1.76 (0.76, 4.09) and 0.19 (0.06, 0.63) respectively. The logistic regression model showed that consuming sugar more than once a day led to a 2.87-fold greater likelihood of DC (AOR [95% CI] = 2.87 [1.68, 4.88]) and a 3.91-fold greater likelihood of mean PUFA score (AOR [95% CI] = 3.91 [2.05, 7.44].

CONCLUSION

High risks for DC and clinical consequences of U-DC were observed among underweight and nonobese adolescent males. The frequency of sugar consumption was significantly associated with both conditions.

Association between Dental Caries and Obesity in Children and Young People: A Narrative Review

OBJECTIVES

To explore the association between obesity and dental caries in children and adolescents. Furthermore, to consider the possible reasons behind this relationship.

METHODS

A database search for papers published between January 2015 and May 2018, inclusive, addressing the association between obesity and dental caries was conducted. A review and critical appraisal of all included studies was performed.

RESULTS

Twenty-six studies were included in this review from different populations worldwide. Eight studies assessed the primary dentition, nine studies were conducted on permanent dentition, and remaining nine studies on both dentitions. The results regarding the association between obesity and dental caries were conflicting and inconsistent. Nine studies concluded that there was no relationship between obesity and dental caries. A positive association was reported in five studies, while the inverse association was reported in eleven studies. Studies included in this review had significant variations in methodology and the investigated cofactors. Possible explanations of the controversial association between obesity and dental caries are discussed in this review.

CONCLUSION

Both obesity and dental caries are multifactorial diseases, and their association is far more complex that can be explained by a single common risk factor, presenting evidence for the complexity of this association.

Deciphering Possible Association of Risk Factors for Dental Caries in Pakistani Population

Obesity is a state of abnormal accumulation of fat in adipose tissues of the body to the level that one's health is adversely compromised. Tripathi et al. state (according to WHO) that obesity is now considered the fifth leading cause of mortality in the world. Caries is a multifactorial disease and one of the major oral health issues of the modern era affecting people around the globe. Rise in dental caries has been observed in developing countries as a result of factors including increased intake of carbohydrates. The present study aims for assessing the association of DMFT with BMI, age, and gender. This study was conducted in the dental OPD of the Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, from February 2016 till January 2017. A custom-made interview-based questionnaire was used to assess BMI, DMFT, and sociodemographics. The sample size was kept at 385. Age was reported as a strong predictor (R2 0.641) of DMFT followed by BMI and gender as the weakest predictors. Age and BMI had statistically significant association with DMFT scores, which shows that diet patterns may affect general health. High caloric intake over long periods affects BMI and also oral health.