C E Yen1, S W Hu. 1. Department of Early Childhood Development and Education, Chaoyang University of Technology, Taichung, Taiwan.
Abstract
AIM: The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between dental caries and obesity in preschool children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 329 preschool children were recruited from nine day care centers. A qualified dentist examined the oral health of each child and a caries score was recorded. Anthropometric measurements included body weight, height, triceps skinfold thickness, and body fat. Body mass index, and weight-for-height index were calculated. Parents or guardians answered a questionnaire regarding their children's dietary patterns, oral hygiene habits, and medical history, as well as parental practices and attitudes towards their children's oral health. RESULTS: The prevalence of dental caries was 73% in this study. Fourteen percent of the children were overweight or obese. The caries scores were not significantly different according to weight-for-height index categories. After taking into account important factors in the multiple regression models, body mass index and weight-for-height index, respectively, were not significantly associated with dental caries. CONCLUSION: This study showed that obesity was not significantly associated with dental caries in preschool children.
AIM: The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between dental caries and obesity in preschool children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 329 preschool children were recruited from nine day care centers. A qualified dentist examined the oral health of each child and a caries score was recorded. Anthropometric measurements included body weight, height, triceps skinfold thickness, and body fat. Body mass index, and weight-for-height index were calculated. Parents or guardians answered a questionnaire regarding their children's dietary patterns, oral hygiene habits, and medical history, as well as parental practices and attitudes towards their children's oral health. RESULTS: The prevalence of dental caries was 73% in this study. Fourteen percent of the children were overweight or obese. The caries scores were not significantly different according to weight-for-height index categories. After taking into account important factors in the multiple regression models, body mass index and weight-for-height index, respectively, were not significantly associated with dental caries. CONCLUSION: This study showed that obesity was not significantly associated with dental caries in preschool children.