Association between Body Mass Index and Oral Health Indices in High School Students in Southern Nevada

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess BMI-for-age weight and oral health indices to examine preliminary associations between general and oral health status of adolescents in Southern Nevada schools.

Methods: A convenience sample from two high schools was recruited (one in higher socioeconomic (SES) and one in lower SES areas identified through zip codes by median annual household incomes). A power analysis (power= 0.80,p=0.05,d=0.20) determined a projected sample size of 75 subjects per school. Intraclass correlations determined inter-rater and intra-rater reliability for each component of the assessments completed (oral health screenings,r=0.98; anthropometric screenings,r=0.99, bacterial collection,r=0.99). Variables of interest included: 1) scores from YRBSS questions, 2) DMFT (decayed, missing and filled teeth) indices, 3) BMI-for-age, and 4) oral bacterial counts. BMI-for-age was computed using the BioMeasure Youth System™. Obesity was defined as BMI at or above CDC 85th percentile criteria. A salivary CRT bacteria kit determined S. mutans and lactobacilli counts. Pearson product moment correlations identified associations between BMI, bacterial levels, and DMFT indices.

Results: To date, data from school 1 (high SES) has been completed. Ninety-one students (boys =41;girls=50) were screened. Prevalence outcomes indicated slightly higher rates of obesity (20.9%, n=19)(boys=17%;n=7;girls=24%;n=12) compared to NHANES 2003-2006 (17.6%). Significant results were found between BMI and bacteria counts (r=0.311,p=0.04); BMI and DMFT indices (r=0.553,p=0.001), and DMFT and Bacteria counts (r=0.391;p=0.03).

Conclusions: Results suggest a link between obesity and oral health status. The strength of this association is projected to increase. Results support necessary interventions as Nevadans face future health challenges.