Overweight and dental caries: the association among German children

Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between iso‐body mass index (iso‐BMI) and both dental caries status and caries increment among German school children. Methods Six hundred and ninety‐four students (age range 9–12 years, mean 10.34 ± 0.56, 48% females) were recruited from the fifth grade of 18 primary schools. Weight, height, and oral health data number of decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) as well as parent/legal guardian questionnaire (measuring SES) were collected during school dental examination at baseline and after one and a half‐year follow‐up. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated using the international classification system for childhood overweight and obesity (iso‐BMI). Statistical analyses were performed using Poisson regression models. Results Iso‐BMI was significantly associated with dental caries prevalence and severity in the permanent dentition (P = 0.039). Low‐normal weight children had a lower mean DMFT (0.56) than did overweight/obese children (0.70). In addition, a border‐line significant association was found between overweight/obese children and caries increment (P = 0.055). Conclusion Although iso‐BMI was associated with dental caries prevalence and severity, the association between caries increment and iso‐BMI did not reach a statistical significance. Overweight/obese children however acquired more additional carious lesions during the follow‐up period than children with low‐normal weight.