Common Determinants of Dental Caries and Obesity in Children: A Multi-Ethnic Nested Birth Cohort Study in the United Kingdom

Magdalena F. Uerlich, Sarah R. Baker, Peter F. Day, Lucy Brown and Mario V. Vettore
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Magdalena F. Uerlich: Unit of Oral Health: Dentistry and Society, School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
Sarah R. Baker: Unit of Oral Health: Dentistry and Society, School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
Peter F. Day: Department of Paediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
Lucy Brown: Harrogate and District Foundation Trust, Community Dental Services, Harrogate HG2 7SA, UK
Mario V. Vettore: Department of Health and Nursing Science, University of Agder, 4630 Kristiansand, Norway

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 23, 1-21

Abstract: The article examines the common determinants of childhood dental caries and obesity. Longitudinal data from the Born in Bradford cohort study (BiB1000) (n = 1735) and dental data (dental general anaesthetics (GA) and oral health survey 2014/15) (n = 171) were used to test a framework on the social determinants of childhood dental caries (decayed, missing, filled teeth (dmft) index) and obesity (body mass index (BMI)). The BiB1000 data were collected at pregnancy week 26–28 and after birth at 6, 12, 18, 24 and 36 months. The determinants were demographics, wellbeing, socio-economic status (SES), dietary behaviours and physical activity behaviour of the children. Missing data were accounted for through multiple imputation (MI). The framework was tested through structural equation modelling. Overall, the model fit was adequate. No alcohol consumption of the mother after giving birth, higher frequency of child drinking sugar-sweetened beverages, emotional and behavioural difficulties of the child and being male were directly associated with both BMI and dental caries. Caregivers uninvolved or indulgent feeding style were associated with higher BMI and less dental caries. Social deprivation was associated with lower BMI and higher dmft. Five determinants were directly associated with BMI only. Fifteen indirect paths were significant for both child dental caries and BMI. The findings suggest common determinants for both childhood obesity and dental caries. Common risk factor approach seems appropriate for planning future health promotion programmes.

Keywords: dental caries; paediatric obesity; structural equation modelling; children’s oral health; common risk factor (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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