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Relationship between oral health and physical activity in a young population aged 6–18 years from Seixal's public schools, Portugal (2011–2014)

2017; Medknow; Volume: 9; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.4103/jioh.jioh_34_17

0976-7428

Octávio Rodrigues, Susana Adam, Mariana Freitas, AnaCristina Martins, AnaRita Granja, Paulo Nogueira, Tânia Moreira, N. V. N. Simões,

Injury Epidemiology and Prevention

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate oral health status, using index missing decomposition index for definitive teeth (DMF), Missing decomposition index for deciduous teeth (dmf), both in children and teenagers from Seixal's public schools, as well as to characterize the level of physical exercise practiced by these students and to analyze its possible relationship with oral health. Materials and Methods: A transversal study was performed using a group or sample of 4164 students, with ages between 6 and 18 years. Data were collected using a questionnaire adapted, to evaluate the amount of exercise practiced and the index of teeth with cavities, lost or crowned, to then evaluate their level of oral health. Results: It was verified that 43.2% of children and adolescents between 6 and 18 years of age practiced some form of regular or the high physical activity (AFI) was more common in men (61.2%) than in women (P <.001). All dmf indices were lower in girls (0.91±1.84) than in boys (1.13±2.06) (P < 0.001). Adolescents who practiced low physical activity (BAF) had, on average, a higher DMF index (DMFI). All DMFIs were higher in girls 1.55 ± 2.46 than in boys 1.34 ± 2.35 (P < 0.008). DMF rates also tended to increase with age. Conclusion: Using this study, it was possible to verify the correlation between dmf index and the practice of physical exercise. Male teenagers showed higher dmf indexes. Besides, individuals who did not practice much physical exercise also showed high dmf indexes.