No consistent association found between dental caries and body mass index in children

Abstract

Data sourcesPubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library and reference lists of identified studies.Study selectionObservational studies comparing dental caries and body mass index (BMI) where BMI was clearly defined were considered.Data extraction and synthesisTwo reviewers independently abstracted data using standard forms with study quality being assessed using a modified version of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) methodology checklist for cross-sectional studies. The weighted mean differences and corresponding 95% confidence intervals for dental caries between children with abnormal weight and those with normal weight were analysed.ResultsFourteen cross-sectional studies including 43,860 children (boys: 23,299; girls: 20,561) were included. Only two studies were considered to be of high quality, eight of medium quality and four of low quality. Four main patterns of associations between dental caries and BMI were found: five studies showed no association, five studies found a positive association, three an inverse association and one found a U-shaped pattern, which meant that the deft score was significantly higher in underweight children and there was a higher DMFT score in overweight and obese children.ConclusionsThis meta-analysis showed no differences in dental caries between underweight and normal weight children. Further studies are recommended using suitable sample sizes, to unify the criteria for BMI categorisation and the dental caries index, and investigate the confounding factors that might influence dental caries and BMI.

Prevalence of untreated dental caries in Latin American children in the Spanish child protection system

“…Despite the high prevalence of overweight and obesity observed in the sample of Latin American children, no positive association was found in this study between the presence of overweight and obesity and the existence of untreated dental caries. The absence of an association between caries and overweight and obesity would be according to what was noted in most of the studies of a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis [32][33][34].…”

Prevalencia De Caries No Tratada en Niños Ecuatorianos en Riesgo Social: Estudio Comparativo

“…la caries dental y el sobrepeso y obesidad sería acorde con lo observado en la mayoría de los estudios de revisión sistemática de la literatura y metaanálisis. 18,20 Respecto a la relación entre la situación de desprotección que condujo a estos niños a su acogimiento en el sistema de protección de Aragón y la presencia de caries no tratada, en los niños ecuatorianos se observó una asociación positiva con la imposibilidad parental temporal o definitiva para ejercer los deberes de protección (por fallecimiento, encarcelamiento, enfermedad física, mental o toxicomanía incapacitantes o causas de naturaleza similar, junto a la ausencia de familiares que se hagan cargo del cuidado del menor), y en el conjunto de niños de otros países latinoamericanos se observó una asociación positiva con la existencia de dos o más situaciones de desprotección. Estas asociaciones serían acordes con los estudios que reconocen que la caries dental no tratada es un trastorno vinculado a la vulnerabilidad y deprivación sociofamiliar.…”

Body Mass Index and Dental Caries, a Five-Year Follow-Up Study in Mexican Children

“…Published reviews have shown contradictory evidence, with reports of both positive and negative relationships between caries and obesity [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]. It has been suggested that longitudinal studies are needed to understand the possible interaction between obesity and caries [ 13 ].…”