The association of body mass index and severe early childhood caries in young children in Winnipeg, Manitoba: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Associations between body mass index (BMI) and caries have been reported.

AIM

To evaluate the direction of the relationship between BMI and severe early childhood caries (S-ECC).

DESIGN

Children were recruited as part of a larger prospective cohort study assessing changes in nutritional status following dental rehabilitation under general anaesthetic. Pre-operative anthropometric measurements were used to calculate BMI z-scores (BMIz). Operative reports were reviewed to calculate caries scores based on treatment rendered. Analysis included descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and simple and multiple linear regression.

RESULTS

Overall, 150 children were recruited with a mean age of 47.7 ± 14.2 (SD) months; 52% female. Over 42% were at risk for overweight, overweight or obese. Although simple linear regression demonstrated a significant positive association between dmfs score and BMIz, adjusted multiple linear regression found no significant relationship between BMIz and dmfs, but highlighted a relationship between BMI z-score and family income, Registered First Nations Status and physical activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Although a significant relationship between BMI and S-ECC was not found, poverty was a key confounding variable. As both S-ECC and obesity are known predictors of future disease, it is important for healthcare professionals to identify children at risk. Diet and behaviour modification may play a role in disease prevention.