Household, dietary, and clinical characteristics of childhood caries and overweight progression—A prospective cohort study

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundChildhood caries and obesity are complex chronic diseases with negative health outcomes.AimThis study sought a risk profile for childhood caries and overweight.DesignChildren were recruited into a longitudinal prospective cohort study. Caries and overweight characteristics were obtained at baseline, 6, 12, and 18 months. Sequential data modeling steps determined a disease risk profile.ResultsAt baseline, 50% of the children (n = 194, 3.0 to 6.9 years) had caries; 24% were overweight, of whom 50% had caries. Correlation analysis separated child characteristics from household circumstances. Principal component modeling separated child snacking from meal‐eating patterns, and household smoking from parent education variables. Baseline caries and overweight were not associated, but they grouped together in the modeling of composite features. Forty‐five percent of children showed caries progression, 29% overweight progression, and 10% progression of both diseases. The strongest predictors of progression were disease presence, household‐based characteristics, and sugary drinks. Children with caries and overweight progression shared multiple child‐ and household‐based features.ConclusionIndividually, caries and overweight were not associated. Children with progression of both conditions shared a profile and multiple risk characteristics suggesting these findings could be useful in assessing the risk for the most extreme cases of caries and overweight.