Correlation between PUFA/pufa scores and BMI-for age in rural Indian children

Abstract

Context: Dental caries continues to be a major health problem in the developing nations like India. The unmet dental care needs pose an important risk factor for undernutrition prevalence in rural areas. Aims: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of dental caries and its consequences using pulp involvement, ulceration, fistula, abscess (PUFA/pufa) indices on age-specific body mass index (BMI) for age, also considering socioeconomic status (SES) in 4-14 years old rural children. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 children aged 4-14 years were included in the study that presented with any of the sequelae of untreated dental caries either in primary or permanent teeth. PUFA/pufa index was used according to the standard procedure to assess the consequence of untreated dental decay. The height and weight of the children were determined using standardized scales. The BMI percentile was computed using Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) growth charts. The children SES were also recorded. Statistical Analysis Used: Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U-test were performed. Then, Spearman correlation coefficient was calculated. All calculations were performed using SPSS version 15 (Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences, Chicago, Illinois, USA). Results: BMI for age and SES show a positive correlation ( P Conclusions: The younger children belonging to lower SES have higher mean PUFA + pufa scores and below normal BMI as compared with older children.