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Updated: Apr 14, 2026
Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children
Published on: December 31, 2017
Association Between Body Mass Index and Oral Health Status Among Children: A Cross-Sectional Study Contributing to
M Alfiya1, Rekha P Shenoy1, Imran Pasha M1
1Department of Public Health Dentistry, Yenepoya Dental College, Yenepoya (Deemed to Be University), Mangaluru, Karnataka, India, yenepoya.edu.in.
Background:
Dental caries, periodontal disease, and malnutrition adversely affect children's growth and development and are recognized as significant public health concerns. The link between child nutrition and oral health is crucial, as they share multiple risk factors. Assessment of nutritional status using standardized growth references such as the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) growth charts is essential, as variations in body mass index (BMI) have been associated with differences in oral health outcomes among children.
Objectives:
To evaluate the association between BMI and oral health status in children aged 12-15 years attending a tertiary care hospital in Mangaluru, Karnataka and to highlight implications for integrating nutritional screening into oral health prevention programs.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was carried out among 164 children aged 12-15 years attending a tertiary care hospital in Mangaluru, Karnataka. Children who provided assent and whose parents gave written informed consent were included in the study. Anthropometric data, including height and body weight, were recorded and BMI was calculated. Oral status was evaluated using the World Health Organization (WHO) Oral Health Assessment Form for Children, 2013. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 26.
Results:
Among the 164 participants, overweight/obese children had significantly higher decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index and increased gingival inflammation compared to normal and underweight groups (p < 0.01). A positive correlation was observed between BMI and DMFT scores (r = 0.377), as well as between BMI and periodontal status (r = 0.34). Urgency of intervention was also significantly associated with BMI.
Conclusion:
The findings suggest that nutritional status may be an important indicator of oral health among children aged 12-15 years. Integrating BMI assessment into routine dental and school health programs may support early identification of at-risk children and facilitate comprehensive preventive strategies.
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