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Childhood obesity and dental development
Kelly K Hilgers1, Matthew Akridge, James P Scheetz
1Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health, Mesa, Ariz, USA. hilgersk@yahoo.com
Pediatric Dentistry
|April 18, 2006
Summary
Children with higher body mass index (BMI) show accelerated dental development. This finding is significant for pediatric dental and orthodontic treatment planning in overweight and obese children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Orthodontics
- Childhood Obesity Research
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern.
- Dental development timing is critical for orthodontic interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between increased body mass index (BMI) and accelerated dental development in children aged 8–15.
- To determine if BMI status impacts dental maturation rates.
Main Methods:
- Dental ages of 104 children were assessed using the Demirjian method and panoramic radiographs.
- Body Mass Index (BMI) status was categorized using International Obesity Task Force criteria (normal weight, overweight, obese).
- Three-way analysis of variance was employed to analyze the relationship between chronologic age, dental age, BMI, and gender.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant acceleration in dental development was observed with increasing BMI, independent of age and gender (P < .01).
- Overweight and obese children exhibited mean dental age advancements of 1.51 and 1.53 years, respectively, compared to their chronologic age.
- The average difference between chronologic and dental age across all subjects was 0.68 years.
Conclusions:
- Overweight and obese children demonstrate significantly accelerated dental development.
- Accelerated dental development in children with higher BMI is a crucial factor for effective pediatric dental and orthodontic treatment planning.