Overweight/obese children are associated with lower caries experience than normal-weight children/adolescents.

Abstract

To compare (a) enamel carious (EC) and dentin carious (DC) lesions and (b) caries risk, between normal-weight (NW) and overweight/obese (OW) children/adolescents. In this cross-sectional study, 91 participants aged 6-12years were classified according to the body mass index (BMI): NW (n=50) and OW (n=41). Caries experience was evaluated using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) with two thresholds: "EC/DC" (ICDAS 1-3/4-6) and "DC" (ICDAS 4-6). Caries risk was determined by the Caries Management by Risk Assessment (CAMBRA) system. A logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association among OW, caries thresholds, and caries risk. Caries experience was similar for both groups at the "EC/DC" threshold (P=.477) and higher for the NW group at the "DC" threshold (P=.009). For CAMBRA, caries risk classification was similar for both groups (P=.082). The logistic regression showed the OW group was less likely to exhibit radiographically visible proximal carious lesions (odds ratio [OR] of 0.330, P=.019), thick biofilm visible on the tooth surface (OR=0.360, P=.019), high caries risk (OR=0.367, P=.039), and moderate-to-high caries levels (OR=0.190, P=.022). OW children/adolescents had lower caries experience, at both ICDAS thresholds, and lower caries risk, compared to NW children/adolescents.