The association of body mass index and severe early childhood caries in young children in Winnipeg, Manitoba

• Main Author: Kennedy, Tara
• Other Authors: Schroth, Robert (Preventive Dental Science), Rodd, Celia (Pediatrics and Child Health) Daymont, Carrie (Pediatrics and Child Health) Moffatt, Michael (Community Health Sciences)
• Format: Master Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2019
• Subjects: Severe early childhood caries; dmfs; Body Mass Index; BMI Z-score; First Nations
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1993/34041

Introduction: Dental caries and obesity are chronic ailments affecting young children across North America. Reports on the relationship between the two conditions have been inconsistent. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and Severe Early Childhood Caries (S-ECC). Methods: Children were recruited as part of a prospective cohort project assessing changes in nutritional status and well-being following dental rehabilitation of S-ECC under general anesthetic. Pre-operative height and weight measurements were used to calculate BMI z-scores based on World Health Organization (WHO) and Center for Disease Control (CDC) charts. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, simple and multiple linear regression models to evaluate the relationship between BMI z-score and S-ECC. Results: Overall, 150 children were recruited; 52% female, with a mean age of 47.7±14.2 (mean±SD) months. Over 42% of children were classified as at risk for overweight, overweight or obese. An adjusted multiple linear regression model found no significant relationship between BMI z-score and severity of decay (based on decayed, missing, filled, surfaces) but highlighted the significant relationship between BMI z-score and family income, Registered First Nations Status and amount of physical activity. Conclusions: While this study did not identify a significant relationship between BMI and S-ECC, both childhood obesity and S-ECC are known predictors of future disease. It is important for physicians and dentists alike to identify children at risk (low income, First Nations Status, low physical activity) as diet and behaviour modification play a role in caries and obesity prevention. October 2019