Assessment of Association between Anthropometry and Dental Caries among Nigerian Young Adults: A Case Control Study

Abstract

Aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between anthropometric parameters and dental caries among young adults in Ile-Ife, Osun state, Nigeria. Study Design:  This was a cross-sectional case-control study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at Department of Physiological Sciences and University Health Centre, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife between December 2015 to December 2016. Methodology: Ninety-two university students aged 18-35 years were recruited for the study. The participants were classified into two groups (cases and control) which were age-and sex-matched. The cases were 46 students with dental caries while the control were 46 students without dental caries. The weight and height of the participants were measured using standard health scale and were utilized for the estimation of the Body Surface Area (BSA) and Body Mass Index (BMI). Dental caries status was assessed using Decay Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index. A dietary chart was utilized to assess the dietary patterns of the participants. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The mean values of BSA (m2) in cases and controls were 1.67±0.17 and 1.66 ± 0.16 (t = .37; P= .71) while the mean values of BMI (kg/m2) for cases and controls were 22.56 ± 3.84 and 22.35 ± 3.34 kg/m2 (t = 0.29; P= .78). There was a significant association between BMI classes and caries status (x2 = 10.00; P = .01). More participants with caries were overweight. Caries was significantly linked with high caries diet (x2 = 53.49; P = .001). Conclusion: In conclusion, this study established that there was a significant association between body mass index classes and caries status. Overweight and high caries diet contributed significantly to caries formation.