Association Between Dental Caries and Body Mass Index Among 12 and 15 years School Children in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

The aim of our study was to evaluate the association between weight and dental caries among 12 and 15 years school children in Shimla city, Himachal Pradesh, India. Materials and Methods: A sample of 1011 school children was selected by a two stage cluster sampling method. Clinical recording of dental caries, was done according to WHO diagnostic criteria 1997 and BMI percentile was calculated based on age and gender-adjusted published scales. The data was analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS)(C) version 13. The statistical tests used were t-test, ANOVA, Chi-square test and correlation analysis. A P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The lower percentage of children belonged to normal range of Body Mass Index in Government schools as compared to private schools and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Correlation analysis showed BMI had a negative correlation with DMFT (r = 0.312, P < 0.011). Conclusion: This study showed higher percentage of children was in the underweight category of BMI and the mean DMFT was higher in underweight as compared to overweight. These children would have acute or chronic nutritional stress due to poor socioeconomic status and lack of knowledge about general and oral health. Continous education and motivation of parents and children can help to some extent to improve their health status.