The Relationship Between Dental Caries, Food Intake and Body Composition in School-Age Children

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between dental caries, food intake and body composition in school-age children. Methods: The study was conducted on 210 children, 105 boys and 105 girls, aged 6-12 years, without mental and / or physical disorders. Oral examinations of the children were performed by pediatric dentists and DMFT –DMFS and dmft-dmfs values were recorded. A detailed food frequency questionnaire was applied to determine consumption frequency of dairy products and sugar‐added foods. Children's height, waist and hip circumference measurements were taken by the researcher; body weight and body composition were evaluated with Tanita BC-601F body analyzer. Results: DMFT values were found to be lower in children who consumed milk, buttermilk and white cheese daily, but this differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05).Body weight and waist circumference are found to be positively correlated with DMFT and negatively correlated with dmft. BMI was found to be positively correlated with DMFT; negatively correlated with dmft (p<0.05). Conclusions: In this study, dental caries was found to be associated with food consumption and body mass index. In children, consumption of sugary foods should be reduced and consumption of milk and dairy products should be increased.