Oral Health Status in Relation to Anthropometric Measurements in a Group of Iraqi Children
Author(s): Zainab Juma Jafar*, Raya Rashid Aldafaai and Nada Jafer MH. Radhi
Abstract
Background: Anthropometric measurements are important signs of children’s growth and nutrition. Several diseases like dental caries were linked to children’s nutrition and weight status. Aim: To compare the oral health findings (dental caries, dental plaque and gingival health) among children in accordance to gender specific measurements (stature-for-age, weight for age and body mass index for age) and body surface area. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional study was carried out among randomly selected children aged 6-8 years old in Baghdad. Oral Examination was done by using of the dental caries indices (dmf and DMF), plaque index and gingival index. Weight and height were measured to evaluate gender specific body mass index for age, stature-for-age, and weight-for-age and body surface area in different formulas. Results: The majority of children had normal weight and normal stature. Higher means of DMFS and DMFT were revealed in normal weight children than overweight with statistical significant differences. The study showed no statistical significant differences between normal stature and tall children in means of caries experience, plaque index and gingival index. Significant negative correlations were seen between body surface areas and dental plaque. Conclusion: Normal weight children could have higher prevalence of dental caries and children with higher body surface area could have less dental plaque. However, further studies are needed to confirm the relationship between oral health status and anthropometric measurement.