IADR Abstract Archives
Association between obesity and dental caries among Libyan schoolchildren
Objectives: The objective of this study is to:
To compare caries experience according to DMFT index with obesity according to anthropometric measures
Describe the distribution of obesity among 12-year-old children in Benghazi city
To assess the correlation between self-reported sugar intake and obesity
To assess sociodemographic factors associated with obesity
Methods: A secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of caries among 12-year-old school children in Benghazi in 2017. The data extracted for the analysis included sociodemographics of the participants (gender, maternal education and school type), caries experience, and anthropometric measures (height, weight, Body Mass Index (BMI) and Z score for BMI). Comparisons of anthropometric measures were conducted according to caries experience. Linear regression models were developed to determine the association between Body Mass Index and Z score as outcome variables, caries as an explanatory variable, and covariates (gender, maternal education and school type). All statistical tests were conducted at p≤0.05.
Results: There were 788 children with a mean (SD) BMI of 20.4 ±4.9 and an average z (SD) score of 0.46 ±1.5. Also, 159 (20%) children had obesity. No significant association was observed between caries and anthropometric measures. However, higher BMI was observed in children from a private school (p=0.002), females (p=0.011) and self-reported regular sugary drinks consumers (p=0.042).
Conclusions: The present study shows no significant association between anthropometric measures of caries experience. However, the study findings support the notion of tackling sugar intake as a common risk factor for obesity and caries, which should be encouraged in the Libyan culture.
To compare caries experience according to DMFT index with obesity according to anthropometric measures
Describe the distribution of obesity among 12-year-old children in Benghazi city
To assess the correlation between self-reported sugar intake and obesity
To assess sociodemographic factors associated with obesity
Methods: A secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of caries among 12-year-old school children in Benghazi in 2017. The data extracted for the analysis included sociodemographics of the participants (gender, maternal education and school type), caries experience, and anthropometric measures (height, weight, Body Mass Index (BMI) and Z score for BMI). Comparisons of anthropometric measures were conducted according to caries experience. Linear regression models were developed to determine the association between Body Mass Index and Z score as outcome variables, caries as an explanatory variable, and covariates (gender, maternal education and school type). All statistical tests were conducted at p≤0.05.
Results: There were 788 children with a mean (SD) BMI of 20.4 ±4.9 and an average z (SD) score of 0.46 ±1.5. Also, 159 (20%) children had obesity. No significant association was observed between caries and anthropometric measures. However, higher BMI was observed in children from a private school (p=0.002), females (p=0.011) and self-reported regular sugary drinks consumers (p=0.042).
Conclusions: The present study shows no significant association between anthropometric measures of caries experience. However, the study findings support the notion of tackling sugar intake as a common risk factor for obesity and caries, which should be encouraged in the Libyan culture.