Exploring the association between BMI and dental caries in 6-9-year-old children in Damascus, Syria: a...

To investigate the prevalence of dental caries and its association with Body Mass Index (BMI) among Syrian schoolchildren aged 6-9 years in Damascus.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 462 schoolchildren selected through multi-stage cluster sampling. Data were obtained using a structured questionnaire and clinical examinations based on WHO criteria. BMI was assessed according to standard protocols. Associations between dental caries and sociodemographic, dietary, oral hygiene factors, and BMI were analyzed using SPSS v25, with statistical significance set at P < 0.05.

The prevalence of dental caries was 85.5%, with no significant differences by gender or age. Caries was significantly more frequent among children in public schools (87.7%; P = 0.042) and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds (95.7%; P < 0.001). Irregular fruit and vegetable intake and higher sugar consumption were associated with increased caries risk. BMI also showed a significant association with caries (P < 0.001), with overweight children exhibiting the highest prevalence (97.1%), although multivariable logistic regression confirmed BMI as an independent predictor with no difference between obese children and other classifications.

Dental caries is highly prevalent among Syrian children aged 6-9 years and shows significant associations with socioeconomic disadvantage, unhealthy dietary habits, poor oral hygiene, and increased BMI. Nevertheless, due to the cross-sectional design of the study, these associations do not establish a causal relationship between BMI and dental caries. Despite this limitation, the findings underscore the urgent need for integrated public health strategies to address both oral health and childhood obesity.