Pentapati K Chakravarthy1, Gowtham Suresh2, Deepika Chenna3, Vijay Chenna3
1Department of Public Health Dentistry, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India.
2Department of Periodontology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India.
3Department of Medicine, Rangaraya Medical College, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India.
DOI: 10.4103/0976-9668.107284
ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate the relationship between anthropometric measures and dental caries among National Cadets Corps of Udupi district, India. Materials and Methods: Demographic information like age, sex, and parental education were collected. Various anthropometric measures like weight, height, mid-upper arm circumference, waist circumference and hip circumference, and dental caries were recorded as per standard guidelines. Results: A total of 211 cadets with age range of 12-19 years constituted the final sample. Caries experience was significantly different with respect to age and gender ( P = 0.049 and 0.05, respectively). Multivariate analysis was performed using Poisson regression with DMFT as dependent variable. Height, weight, BMI, and WC showed significant association with dental caries status (OR = 10.61, 1.03, 1.09, and 1.02, respectively). Stratified analysis showed no association with anthropometric measures (Height, weight, BMI, and WC) and dental caries in 12-14 years. Among 15-19 years age group, there was a significant association between anthropometric measures (Height, weight, and BMI) and dental caries. Conclusion: There was a significant association between anthropometric measures and caries status in 15-19 years age group while no association was found in 12-14 years age group.
Keywords: Anthropometric measures, body mass index, dental caries, India.
