OBESITY AND RELATED ORAL HEALTH VARIABLES AMONG A GROUP OF YOUNG ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Obesity and dental caries both are multifactorial diseases that impact adolescent's health and psychosocial development. They both share common, modifiable, influences such as diet and lifestyle.OBJECTIVES: the aim of this study was to assess young adolescents' obesity and dietary habits association with dental caries experience and stimulated salivary flow rate.MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional comparative study designs, fifty obese adolescents with mean age of 13.0±0.54 years and fifty normal weight adolescents with mean age of 12.87±0.45 years were selected from preparatory schools in Alexandria. They were clinically examined with respect to dental caries, as well as answered a questionnaire concerning sociodemographic background, oral hygiene practice, 24-hour dietary recall and food frequency questionnaire. Body mass index (kg/m2) for age and flow rate of stimulated whole saliva (ml/min) was determined. Total cariogenic food exposure time was calculated.RESULTS: The obese subjects exhibited significant higher mean score of DMFS (4.84±3.65 for male - 5.00±2.04 for female) vs. 0.76±1.39 for male - 0.44±2.71 for female in normal weight group (p= 0.011) and (p= 0.001) respectively. Obese group had lower flow rate of stimulated whole saliva (1.74±0.75 ml/min for male-1.80±0.65 ml/min for female) vs 2.86±0.70 for males- 2.83±0.65 for females in normal weight group (p=0.001) and (p=0.018) respectively. Obese subjects exhibited significant higher cariogenic food total exposure time with mean of 155.60±59.56 min/day vs. 50.40±34.58 min/day (p < 0.001). No significant difference existed between the two groups regarding different food groups consumption except for grain group according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommendations. In a multiple stepwise linear regression model for DMFS predictors, DMFS was significantly associated with lower flow rate of stimulated whole saliva (p < 0.001), cariogenic food total exposure time, added sugar and milk group consumption.CONCLUSIONS: Obese young adolescents are more likely to suffer from dental caries and lower salivary flow rate compared to normal weight ones. They are more liable to consume cariogenic snacks and grain group food items.