Background/aims: To investigate the cross-sectional relationship between dental caries experience and adiposity status (general, central, and peripheral adiposity) in 12-year-old children in Hong Kong.
Methods: A random sample of 668 12-year-old students was recruited. Clinical assessment for dental caries (DMFT) was conducted using WHO criteria. Anthropometric measurements for body height, body weight, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference and triceps skinfold thickness (TRSKF) were performed to assess general adiposity (weight-height ratio, body mass index); central adiposity (WC; waist-hip ratio, WHR), and peripheral adiposity (TRSKF). Associations between adiposity indices and dental caries experience [prevalence DMFT > 0, 'high' experience (DMFT ≥ SiC Index value) and 'very high' experience (DMFT ≥ SiC10 Index value)] were examined in bivariate and multivariate regression analyses.
Results: The response rate was 76.9% (n = 514/668). Regression analyses (adjusted for oral hygiene practice, snacking habits, and socio-demographic factors) identified that WHR z score was associated with 'high' dental caries experience (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.05, 1.70, p = 0.02), and that WHR z score was associated with 'very high' dental caries experience (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.10, 2.11, p = 0.01). TRSKF z score was associated with 'very high' dental caries experience (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.10, 1.96, p = 0.01).
Conclusions: In a population-based sample of 12-year-old children in Hong Kong, dental caries experience was associated with adiposity. Central and peripheral, but not general adiposity was associated with dental caries experience.