Obesity and dental caries in children:A systematic review and meta-analysis

Hayden C, Bowler JO, Chambers S, Freeman R, Humphris G, Richards D, CecilJE. Obesity and dental caries in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2012. © 2012JohnWiley&SonsA/SAbstract – Objectives: Obesity and dental caries have become increasinglyprevalent challenges to public health. Research results into the relationshipbetween obesity and dental caries in children have been mixed andinconclusive. The aim of this review and meta-analysis was to provide evidenceto quantify the relationship between obesity and dental caries in children usinga systematic approach. Methods: A systematic search for papers between 1980and 2010 addressing childhood obesity and dental caries was conducted and arandom effects model meta-analysis applied. Results: Fourteen papers met theselection criteria. Overall, a significant relationship between childhood obesityand dental caries (effect size = 0.104, P=0.049) was found. When analysed bydentition type (primary versus permanent), there was a nonsignificantassociation of obesity and dental caries in permanent and primary dentitions,yet on accounting only for standardized definitions for assessment of childobesity using body mass index, a strong significant relationship was evident inchildren with permanent dentitions. Moderating for study country of origin(newly ‘industrialized’ versus industrialized) showed a significant relationshipbetween obesity and dental caries in children from industrialized but not newlyindustrialized countries. Cofactors such as age and socioeconomic class weresignificant moderators. Conclusions: Future analysis should investigate theseconfounding variables, helping shape the future of obesity managementprogrammes and oral health interventions, through determining common riskfactors.