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Caries

88 - Relationship between Obesity, Sweetened Beverages, and Dental Caries among Children

Friday, May 23, 2025
12:40 PM - 1:00 PM MDT
Has Audio
Abstract:


Background: Habits formed during early childhood can have long-term effects on an individual’s health and well-being.


Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the relationship between obesity, the frequency and consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, and the prevalence of dental caries in children aged 3 to 5 enrolled in a Head Start Program in San Juan, Puerto Rico.


Methods: A cross-sectional study will be conducted with a sample of 112 children. Inclusion criteria include children aged 3 to 5 who are enrolled in a Head Start Program in Puerto Rico. Children whose parents do not provide consent for participation will be excluded. Data collection will be conducted through parent-administered questionnaires at the Head Start centers, which will capture demographic information as well as dietary and oral hygiene habits. Additionally, scheduled dental appointments will be used to collect Body Mass Index (BMI) measurements and perform oral evaluations following ICDAS criteria to document carious lesions and any history of dental restorations. Statistical analyses will assess the following: Outcomes (caries status, measured by prevalence and dmfs/dmf indices), Exposures (relative weight and daily sugar-sweetened beverage intake in ounces), and Confounding Variables (child’s demographics).


Results: Soda intake showed a significant association with caries prevalence by both quantity (p-value=0.02) and frequency (p-value=0.035). BMI was significantly associated with caries (p-value=0.01), with the highest prevalence in underweight children, followed by those with obesity.



Conclusions: This study confirms the prevalence of overweight/obesity and early childhood caries in the target population, with soda consumption significantly impacting caries; interestingly, underweight children showed higher caries rates. The findings also raise questions about the reliability of reported oral healthcare habits.


Identify Supporting Agency and Grant Number: N/A