Anthropometric assessments of adiposity and oral health among children

• Main Authors: 彭思敏, Peng, Simin
• Language: English
• Published: The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong) 2014
• Subjects: Children - Dental care - China - Hong Kong; Obesity in children - China - Hong Kong
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10722/193429

Systematic reviews were conducted to investigate the relationships between anthropometric assessments of nutritional status (adiposity) and caries experience among preschool and school-age (aged 6-12 years) children. Four relevant databases were searched for publications up to December 2011. Qualitative assessments were conducted and rated according to STROBE statement. Where feasible, quantitative syntheses were conducted. From a total of 2013 studies, 39 effective studies were identified for preschool children and 53 effective studies for school-age children. The mean ‘quality of reporting’ were 20.4 (SD 3.8) for the preschool studies and 21.4 (SD 3.9) for school-age studies. Qualitative syntheses were inconclusive about their relationships. Meta-analyses identified that preschoolers with high BMI had a greater dmfs/defs than those with normal BMI: pooled mean difference 0.93, 95% CI 0.65, 1.22, P < 0.05; and that children with low BMI had a lower dmft than those with normal BMI: pooled mean difference - 0.29, 95% CI -0.42, -0.15, P < 0.05. Among school-age children meta-analyses failed to identify any significant association. Among a random sample of 5-year-old children in Hong Kong, with a response rate of 83.1% (324/390), caries experience was associated with general adiposity (as assessed by W/H) and central adiposity (as assessed by WC). Regression analyses (adjusted for oral health behaviours and socio-demographic factors) identified that W/H z-score was associated with having caries, OR 1.41, 95% CI1.04, 1.91, P = 0.03; and ‘very high’ caries OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.05, 2.50, P = 0.03. WC z-score was associated with ‘very high’ caries experience, OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.06, 2.81, P = 0.03. Oral hygiene status was not associated with adiposity. Among a random sample of 12-year-old children in Hong Kong, with a response rate of 76.9% (514/668), oral health status was associated with adiposity. Regression analyses (adjusted for oral health behaviours and socio-demographic factors) identified that WHR z-score was associated with caries experience: ‘high’ (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.05, 1.70, P = 0.02), and ‘very high’ (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.10, 2.11, P = 0.01). TRSKF z-score was associated with ‘very high’ caries experience (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.10, 1.96, P = 0.01). WC z-score was associated with ‘unhealthy’ periodontal status (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.01, 1.76, P = 0.04). Infant growth during the first year of life was associated with oral health at 12-year-old. Accounting for birth characteristics, socio-demographics and oral health behaviours, those with slow growth trajectories (Ⅰ- smallest birth weight and slow weight gain; and Ⅱ- smallest birth weight and average weight gain) had a greater likelihood of having a ‘high’ caries experience: OR 2.68, 95% CI 1.00, 7.16, P < 0.05 and OR 3.03, 95% CI 1.22, 7.51, P < 0.05, respectively, compared to average growth trajectory subjects. In addition, those with the fastest growth trajectory (heaviest birth weight and accelerated weight gain) had a greater likelihood of having a ‘high’ caries experience, OR 2.64, 95% CI 1.01, 6.91, P <0.05. Growth trajectories were not associated with periodontal health status at 12-year-old (P > 0.05). === published_or_final_version === Dentistry === Doctoral === Doctor of Philosophy