IADR Abstract Archives
Childhood Adiposity in a Community-Based Oral Health Study
Objectives: Childhood obesity is an important public health problem with significant comorbidities—one-third of US children and adolescents are overweight or obese. In this study, we examined the prevalence and correlates of adiposity [as measured by the body mass index (BMI)] among a large, community-based sample of preschool-age children.
Methods: The analytical sample comprised 5,593 preschool-age children (mean age=53 months; range=36-72 months) enrolled in NC Head Start (HS) programs/centers and participating in the ZOE 2.0 study. Height and weight were measured in participating HS centers using portable equipment. BMI percentiles and Z-scores for age and sex were used to define categories of underweight (<5th percentile), normal weight (5th-<85th percentile), overweight (85th-<95th percentile) and obesity (≥95th percentile). Self-administered questionnaires were given to caregivers to collect sociodemographic characteristics, caregivers’ self-reported oral health status (OHS; excellent/very good/good/fair/poor), caregiver-reported child OHS, and other health-related behaviors. Surface-level dental caries experience was recorded using ICDAS criteria by trained and calibrated examiners. Analyses included descriptive and bivariate methods based on X2 and non-parametric trend tests.
Results: Thirteen percent of participating children were overweight and 9% were obese, while 68% were of normal weight and 10% were underweight. Girls were more likely to be overweight or obese (25%) compared to boys (21%; p<0.0005). Children of Spanish-speaking families were more likely to be overweight or obese (31%) versus 22% in non-Spanish-speaking families (p<0.0005). Parents’ education was inversely associated with their children’s BMI. We did not find any important associations between behavioral or dietary variables, or self-reported measures of oral health and BMI or BMI category.
Conclusions: In this community-based sample of preschool-age children we found that more than one out of five children were overweight or obese. Although the specific mechanisms underlying this link need further study, postulated explanations include poor access to affordable, healthy food for low-income families.
Methods: The analytical sample comprised 5,593 preschool-age children (mean age=53 months; range=36-72 months) enrolled in NC Head Start (HS) programs/centers and participating in the ZOE 2.0 study. Height and weight were measured in participating HS centers using portable equipment. BMI percentiles and Z-scores for age and sex were used to define categories of underweight (<5th percentile), normal weight (5th-<85th percentile), overweight (85th-<95th percentile) and obesity (≥95th percentile). Self-administered questionnaires were given to caregivers to collect sociodemographic characteristics, caregivers’ self-reported oral health status (OHS; excellent/very good/good/fair/poor), caregiver-reported child OHS, and other health-related behaviors. Surface-level dental caries experience was recorded using ICDAS criteria by trained and calibrated examiners. Analyses included descriptive and bivariate methods based on X2 and non-parametric trend tests.
Results: Thirteen percent of participating children were overweight and 9% were obese, while 68% were of normal weight and 10% were underweight. Girls were more likely to be overweight or obese (25%) compared to boys (21%; p<0.0005). Children of Spanish-speaking families were more likely to be overweight or obese (31%) versus 22% in non-Spanish-speaking families (p<0.0005). Parents’ education was inversely associated with their children’s BMI. We did not find any important associations between behavioral or dietary variables, or self-reported measures of oral health and BMI or BMI category.
Conclusions: In this community-based sample of preschool-age children we found that more than one out of five children were overweight or obese. Although the specific mechanisms underlying this link need further study, postulated explanations include poor access to affordable, healthy food for low-income families.