The association between nutritional status and dental caries in low-income children: A multilevel analysis.

Abstract

The possible association between obesity, underweight, and dental caries remains in debate. In addition, the role of sugar consumption on the abovementioned relationship was little explored. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between nutritional status and dental caries in 12-year-old low-income children. This cross-sectional school-based study involved 406 12-year-old children living with limited economic resources. Dental caries was assessed using the decayed component of DMFT and PUFA/pufa index. Children were weighed and measured to assess nutritional status according to z-score/body mass index. Data on socio-economic and demographic characteristics, sugar consumption, sedentary behaviour, and psychosocial factors were collected through validated questionnaires. Multivariable multilevel Poisson regression was performed. Underweight children had 60% (RR=1.60; 95% CI 1.13-2.57) higher mean of decayed teeth and had mean PUFA/pufa 2.8 times higher than children with normal nutritional status. Underweight children with high annual sugar intake had a greater mean of decayed teeth (RR=2.72; 95% CI 1.46-5.06) than underweight children with low sugar intake. Our findings suggest that malnutrition is associated with dental caries among children from low-income families.