Caries-related risk factors of obesity among 18-year-old adolescents in Hong Kong: a cross-sectional study nested in a cohort study

BACKGROUND: Socio-economic status, health awareness, and dietary habits have been reported as common risk factors of dental caries and obesity. The present study aimed to explore shared mediators between caries and obesity and to estimate the effects of caries-related factors on adiposity. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study among adolescents aged 18 years. The study was nested in a population-representative cohort of Chinese in Hong Kong. The number of decayed, missing, and filled permanent teeth (DMFT) was recorded during the oral examinations. Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist Circumference (WC), Waist-Hip-Ratio (WHR), Waist-Height-Ratio (WHtR), and Triceps Skinfold Thickness (TRSKF) were used as adiposity indices. Data on socio-economic status, oral health behavior (tooth brushing habit, use of fluoride toothpaste, dental flossing habit, and mouth rinse habit), and dietary record (frequency and amount of different food) were collected through self-completed questionnaires. Chi-square tests and binary logistic regressions were used for analysis. RESULTS: Three hundred eighty-three participants were included. The mean (standard deviation, SD) of BMI, WC, WHR, WHtR, TRSKF, and DMFT were 21.26 (3.72), 69.11 (9.25), 0.77 (0.06), 0.42 (0.05), 15.72 (6.33), and 2.06 (2.43), respectively. Males were more likely to be overweight/obese than females. Various factors including gender, parental employment status, mouth rinse habit, frequency and amount of meat intake, frequency of oil intake, use of fluoride toothpaste, and DMFT were found significant (p < 0.05) in different final models of adiposity status. CONCLUSIONS: More mediators should be included in future research to elucidate mechanism of the association between caries and obesity.