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Comparative Study
. 2008;1(4):196-202.
doi: 10.1159/000145931. Epub 2008 Aug 14.

Clustering of obesity and dental health with lifestyle factors among Turkish and Finnish pre-adolescents

Basak Cinar  1 , Heikki Murtomaa
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Clustering of obesity and dental health with lifestyle factors among Turkish and Finnish pre-adolescents

Basak Cinar et al. Obes Facts. 2008.

Abstract

Background: This study aims to assess any clustering between obesity, number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT), television (TV) viewing, and lifestyle factors among pre-adolescents living in 2 countries with different developmental status and oral health care systems - Turkey and Finland.

Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study of Finnish (n = 338) and Turkish (n = 611) preadolescents, 10-12 years old, was undertaken with preadolescent oral health data and health behavior questionnaires for pre-adolescents and their mothers. The parameters examined were DMFT, body mass index (BMI), leisure time activities (TV viewing), and lifestyle factors (family dinners and dietary habits) of pre-adolescents. Data analysis included factor analysis, Student's t-test, and Chi-square tests by cross tabulation.

Results: Turkish pre-adolescents were more obese and had poorer dental health than their Finnish counterparts (p < 0.05). Turkish and Finnish pre-adolescents drinking fizzy drinks more than 3 times a week were more likely to watch TV for >or= 2 h/school day (odds ratio (OR) = 1.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00-2.28) than those consuming them once a week or less (OR = 3.06, 95% CI 1.39-6.75; p < 0.05). Factor analysis revealed that DMFT and obesity shared the same cluster among Turkish and Finnish pre-adolescents.

Conclusion: Both medical and dental examination of any pediatric patient should include BMI, leisure time activities, and dietary habits as well as socio-economic status.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Distribution of Turkish and Finnish mothers by school type (MHBQ = Maternal Health Behavior Questionnaire).
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