Childhood Obesity and Dental Caries in Homeless Children
Childhood Obesity and Dental Caries in Homeless Children
Introduction: Childhood obesity and dental caries are increasing epidemics, especially among children who are living below the poverty level. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and caries in homeless children.
Methods: A secondary data analysis with a correlational design was used. A convenience sample of 157 children was recruited from a homeless shelter.
Results: Pearson's and partial correlations were used to explore the relationships among age, BMI, and caries. Most of the children were girls and were African American. Slightly more than half of the children were overweight (19.7%) or obese (30.6%) and had caries (50.3%). Significant positive correlations between age and BMI (p = .03) as well as between age and caries (p = .003) were found. As BMI increased, so did caries (p = .08).
Discussion: Consistent with reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, homeless children had higher BMI and caries rates than the national averages. Although a definitive conclusion between obesity and dental caries cannot be drawn, these two health issues are important areas for all pediatric health care providers to address at every visit.
Childhood obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 95th percentile) is an increasing epidemic in the United States among children who are living below the poverty level. The percentage of children who are obese has more than doubled since 1980, with 16.3% above the 95th percentile on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) BMI-for-age growth charts (CDC, 2009; Nihiser et al., 2007). Obesity is a known risk factor for health conditions such as diabetes and is associated with problems such as poor self-esteem, especially in homeless children (Ogden, Carroll, & Flegal, 2008).
Dental caries is a common infectious disease in U.S. children. More than 25% of U.S. children aged 2–5 years and 50% aged 12–15 years have had decay (CDC, 2011a). The prevalence of dental caries is even higher in lower-income families; about 50% of all children in this group have had decay (CDC, 2011a). Homeless children are afflicted with this chronic infectious disease as well. The incidence of dental caries in this population is also on the rise.
Considerable research has been conducted to examine potential relationships between BMI and the occurrence of dental caries in children (Kopycka-Kedzierawski, Auinger, Billings, & Weitzman, 2008; Macek & Mitola, 2006; Pinto, Kim, & Wadenya, 2007). However, inconsistent findings about the relationship between BMI and the occurrence of dental caries have been reported. Furthermore, little attention has been given to the role of BMI in the occurrence of dental caries in vulnerable populations, such as homeless children who are at increased risk for oral health complications. The presence of either one of these conditions, obesity or dental caries, coupled with living below the poverty level, has been shown to predispose children to further health-related complications and diseases. The current study was intended to address the epidemic of obesity and its role in the silent epidemic of dental caries in homeless children.
Abstract and Introduction
Abstract
Introduction: Childhood obesity and dental caries are increasing epidemics, especially among children who are living below the poverty level. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and caries in homeless children.
Methods: A secondary data analysis with a correlational design was used. A convenience sample of 157 children was recruited from a homeless shelter.
Results: Pearson's and partial correlations were used to explore the relationships among age, BMI, and caries. Most of the children were girls and were African American. Slightly more than half of the children were overweight (19.7%) or obese (30.6%) and had caries (50.3%). Significant positive correlations between age and BMI (p = .03) as well as between age and caries (p = .003) were found. As BMI increased, so did caries (p = .08).
Discussion: Consistent with reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, homeless children had higher BMI and caries rates than the national averages. Although a definitive conclusion between obesity and dental caries cannot be drawn, these two health issues are important areas for all pediatric health care providers to address at every visit.
Introduction
Childhood obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 95th percentile) is an increasing epidemic in the United States among children who are living below the poverty level. The percentage of children who are obese has more than doubled since 1980, with 16.3% above the 95th percentile on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) BMI-for-age growth charts (CDC, 2009; Nihiser et al., 2007). Obesity is a known risk factor for health conditions such as diabetes and is associated with problems such as poor self-esteem, especially in homeless children (Ogden, Carroll, & Flegal, 2008).
Dental caries is a common infectious disease in U.S. children. More than 25% of U.S. children aged 2–5 years and 50% aged 12–15 years have had decay (CDC, 2011a). The prevalence of dental caries is even higher in lower-income families; about 50% of all children in this group have had decay (CDC, 2011a). Homeless children are afflicted with this chronic infectious disease as well. The incidence of dental caries in this population is also on the rise.
Considerable research has been conducted to examine potential relationships between BMI and the occurrence of dental caries in children (Kopycka-Kedzierawski, Auinger, Billings, & Weitzman, 2008; Macek & Mitola, 2006; Pinto, Kim, & Wadenya, 2007). However, inconsistent findings about the relationship between BMI and the occurrence of dental caries have been reported. Furthermore, little attention has been given to the role of BMI in the occurrence of dental caries in vulnerable populations, such as homeless children who are at increased risk for oral health complications. The presence of either one of these conditions, obesity or dental caries, coupled with living below the poverty level, has been shown to predispose children to further health-related complications and diseases. The current study was intended to address the epidemic of obesity and its role in the silent epidemic of dental caries in homeless children.
