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Caries

446 - The Association between BMI and Caries Experience in Children 2-3 Years-old

Saturday, May 25, 2024
11:30 AM – 11:40 AM EST
Location: Exhibit Hall (back left corner of the hall, space 137)
Abstract:

Purpose: To evaluate the association between body mass index and caries experience in children 2-3 years-old participating in an infant oral health program.


Methods: Retrospective, cross-sectional data from 278 new patient charts from 2010-2012 were analyzed. Participants were patients 2-3 years-old in the Cavity-Free at Three program at Children’s Hospital Colorado Dental Center. Caregivers completed a caries risk questionnaire at the initial dental visit, and each child received a visual examination for caries experience as decayed and filled primary teeth (dft). The U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s Body Mass Index (BMI) percentiles were calculated and patients categorized as underweight, healthy, overweight, and obese at the initial visit. Logistic regressions were fit to predict ≥1 dft based on patient demographics, BMI class, individual dietary habits, and a BMI class-by-dietary habit interaction term.


Results: For patients aged 2-3, drinking from a bottle or breastfeeding on demand/at will, drinking sugar-sweetened beverages, and eating between meals > 2 times per day were significantly associated (p < 0.05) with increased odds of having ≥1 dft. The BMI class and interaction terms were not significantly associated with caries experience.


Conclusion: Early childhood caries and childhood obesity are prevalent health conditions affecting children globally. The BMI class was not associated with increased caries experience in 2-3 year-olds. Dietary factors were significantly associated with increased caries experience independent of BMI. These results suggest that BMI and caries experience are independent health concerns that serve as co-determinants negatively impacting children’s health.

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