Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39433030›Full record

ArticleObesity facts2025

Association between Obesity and Dental Caries in Adults: An Analysis of WHR, and DMFT Score.

Alaa Jameel Kabbarah, Meyassara Samman, Abdulraheem A Alwafi, Heba Ashi, Layla Waleed Abuljadayel, Lina O Bahanan, Mona T Rajeh, Nada J Farsi

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Obesity facts, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Alaa Jameel KabbarahDepartment of Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Meyassara SammanDepartment of Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Abdulraheem A AlwafiDepartment of Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Heba AshiDepartment of Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Layla Waleed AbuljadayelDepartment of Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Lina O BahananDepartment of Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Mona T RajehDepartment of Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Nada J FarsiDepartment of Dental Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionThe relationship between obesity and dental caries in adults presents inconsistent findings in current literature, which necessitates further research to clarify this relationship. This study aimed to examine the association between obesity and dental caries in adults using a nationally representative sample.

methodsThis study employed data of US adults aged >20 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) pre-pandemic cycle. Obesity was defined using the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference. Dental caries were assessed using the Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth (DMFT) scores.

resultsMost participants were categorized as individuals with obesity based on the WHR (74.5%) or BMI (72.7%). A significant difference in the DMFT scores and missing teeth was observed between individuals with normal weight and individuals with obesity. After adjusting for the sociodemographic variables, individuals with obesity had a 0.11 higher DMFT score (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.01 to 0.23). A significant association was observed between the WHR and DMFT scores when age was excluded from the model, demonstrating a higher coefficient of 0.17 (95% CI: 0.05-0.30).

conclusionsA positive association was observed between obesity and dental caries in the US adult population. However, age was found to be a confounding factor in this relationship. This study highlights the relationship between oral and general health, advocating healthcare providers for an integrated health promotion strategy, through comprehensive campaigns addressing obesity, diet, lifestyle, and dental health, aiming for raising awareness and a more effective public health strategy.

Indexed as

Dental CariesDMF IndexObesityWaist-Hip RatioAdultAgedBody Mass IndexCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedNutrition SurveysRisk FactorsUnited StatesWaist CircumferenceBody mass indexDecayed, Missing, Filled TeethDental cariesNational Health and Nutrition Examination SurveyObesityWaist-to-hip ratio

Identifiers

PMID39433030
PMCPMC12017748

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.