Mechanisms accounting for gendered differences in mental health status among young Canadians: A novel quantitative analysis.

Adolescent girls consistently report worse mental health than boys. This study used reports from a 2018 national health promotion survey (n = 11,373) to quantitatively explore why such gender-based differences exist among young Canadians. Using mediation analyses and contemporary social theory, we explored mechanisms that may explain differences in mental health between adolescents who identify as boys versus girls. The potential mediators tested were social supports within family and friends, engagement in addictive social media use, and overt risk-taking. Analyses were performed with the full sample and in specific high-risk groups, such as adolescents who report lower family affluence. Higher levels of addictive social media use and lower perceived levels of family support among girls mediated a significant proportion of the difference between boys and girls for each of the three mental health outcomes (depressive symptoms, frequent health complaints, and diagnosis of mental illness). Observed mediation effects were similar in high-risk subgroups; however, among those with low affluence, effects of family support were somewhat more pronounced. Study findings point to deeper, root causes of gender-based mental health inequalities that emerge during childhood. Interventions designed to reduce girls' addictive social media use or increase their perceived family support, to be more in line with their male peers, could help to reduce differences in mental health between boys and girls. Contemporary focus on social media use and social supports among girls, especially those with low affluence, warrant study as the basis for public health and clinical interventions.

Domains of spirituality and their importance to the health of 75 533 adolescents in 12 countries.

Spirituality is an ancient concept with many contemporary applications to the field of health promotion. While recognized in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child as a basic human right, definitional misunderstandings about what spirituality is, and is not, and the mechanisms by which it affects the health of young people, remain. In this cross-national analysis involving >75 000 adolescents from 12 countries, we examined the relative importance of each of four spiritual health domains (connections to self, others, nature and the transcendent) in the lives of young people, and how these connections relate to a standard indicator of positive mental health status. Descriptive and applied regression analyses confirmed two major findings: (i) boys and girls in all 12 countries ranked the importance of each of the four domains in the same order, with 'connections to self' identified as most important; and (ii) both direct and indirect pathways are evident that connect the remaining three domains to positive mental health status, but through strong connections to self. Based on our scale items, fostering a strong connection to self, which involves cultivating a sense of meaning, purpose and joy in the lives of adolescents, appears most fundamental to fostering optimal mental health. This may be achieved directly or, dependent upon context and culture, indirectly with emphasis on the connections afforded by the other three domains. Such findings provide important insights to guide the content of adolescent health promotion interventions.

Spirituality is considered by many to be an important domain of health. It is sometimes measured in four domains of connections: to oneself, to others, to nature and to the transcendent. While the importance of such connections is recognized as a fundamental human right for children, few international studies have studied their impacts on the health and well-being of young people. In this study of young people conducted over 4 years in 12 countries, we examined the perceived importance of each of four spiritual health domains and how they each related to positive mental health status in >75 000 adolescents. 'Connections to self' were consistently viewed as most important among boys and girls in all 12 countries. Fostering of strong connections to self, which involves cultivating a sense of meaning, purpose and joy in the lives of adolescents, appears most fundamental to achieving mental health and well-being. This may be achieved directly through a focus on connections to self, or indirectly by focusing on the indirect effects of the other three domains on mental health. This opens up many opportunities for health promotion in child populations, internationally.

The feasibility and effectiveness of a novel online mental health literacy course in supporting university student mental health: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: There is a need for effective universal approaches to promote and support university student mental health that are scalable and sustainable. In this pilot study we assess the feasibility and acceptability of a fully-digitalized, comprehensive mental health literacy course co-created with and tailored to the needs of undergraduate students. We also explore preliminary associations with mental health and positive behaviour change. METHODS: An accredited online mental health literacy course was developed using state-of-the-art pedagogical principles and a reverse mentorship approach. The course was offered as an interdisciplinary undergraduate elective. Students completed an online survey before and after the 12-week course that collected demographic information and assessed mental health knowledge, emotional self-awareness, mental health, stigma, and health-related behaviors using validated measures. Dependent group t-tests were used to compare pre- and post-course levels of knowledge, mental health, sleep quality and substance use. Mental health outcomes of students who completed the course were compared to an age and sex-matched sample of students not enrolled in the course and who completed the same survey measures over the same academic year. Multivariable linear regression was used to examine the effect of course participation on outcomes at follow-up. RESULTS: The course had good uptake and was positively reviewed by participants. Specifically, students found the course engaging, relevant, and applicable, and agreed they would recommend it to their peers. Among course participants there was improvement in mental health knowledge (p < 0.001) and emotional self-awareness (p = 0.02) at course completion. Compared to the matched comparison group, taking the course was associated with reduced alcohol (ß = - 0.41, p = 0.01) and cannabis use (ß = - 0.35, p = 0.03), and improved sleep quality (ß = 1.56, p = 0.09) at the end of the term. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that delivering mental health literacy as an online accredited course may be an acceptable and effective way of promoting university student mental health through improved knowledge, emotional self-awareness, and healthy lifestyle choices. As the course is expanded to larger and more diverse student cohorts we will be able to further examine the short and long-term effectiveness of the course in supporting student mental health and the underlying mechanisms.

Clinical effectiveness of gasless laparoscopic surgery for abdominal conditions: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: In high-income countries, laparoscopic surgery is the preferred approach for many abdominal conditions. Conventional laparoscopy is a complex intervention that is challenging to adopt and implement in low resource settings. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluate the clinical effectiveness of gasless laparoscopy compared to conventional laparoscopy with CO2 pneumoperitoneum and open surgery for general surgery and gynaecological procedures. METHODS: A search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health, AJOL databases and Cochrane Library was performed from inception to January 2021. All randomised (RCTs) and comparative cohort (non-RCTs) studies comparing gasless laparoscopy with open surgery or conventional laparoscopy were included. The primary outcomes were mortality, conversion rates and intraoperative complications. SECONDARY OUTCOMES: operative times and length of stay. The inverse variance random-effects model was used to synthesise data. RESULTS: 63 studies were included: 41 RCTs and 22 non-RCTs (3,620 patients). No procedure-related deaths were reported in the studies. For gasless vs conventional laparoscopy there was no difference in intraoperative complications for general RR 1.04 [CI 0.45-2.40] or gynaecological surgery RR 0.66 [0.14-3.13]. In the gasless laparoscopy group, the conversion rates for gynaecological surgery were high RR 11.72 [CI 2.26-60.87] when compared to conventional laparoscopy. For gasless vs open surgery, the operative times were longer for gasless surgery in general surgery RCT group MD (mean difference) 10 [CI 0.64, 19.36], but significantly shorter in the gynaecology RCT group MD - 18.74 [CI - 29.23, - 8.26]. For gasless laparoscopy vs open surgery non-RCT, the length of stay was shorter for gasless laparoscopy in general surgery MD - 3.94 [CI - 5.93, - 1.95] and gynaecology MD - 1.75 [CI - 2.64, - 0.86]. Overall GRADE assessment for RCTs and Non-RCTs was very low. CONCLUSION: Gasless laparoscopy has advantages for selective general and gynaecological procedures and may have a vital role to play in low resource settings.

Potential of genomic selection for improvement of resistance to ostreid herpesvirus in Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas).

In genomic selection (GS), genome-wide SNP markers are used to generate genomic estimated breeding values for selection candidates. The application of GS in shellfish looks promising and has the potential to help in dealing with one of the main issues currently affecting Pacific oyster production worldwide, which is the 'summer mortality syndrome'. This causes periodic mass mortality in farms worldwide and has mainly been attributed to a specific variant of the ostreid herpesvirus (OsHV-1). In the current study, we evaluated the potential of genomic selection for host resistance to OsHV-1 in Pacific oysters, and compared it with pedigree-based approaches. An OsHV-1 disease challenge was performed using an immersion-based virus exposure treatment for oysters for 7 days. A total of 768 samples were genotyped using the medium-density SNP array for oysters. A GWAS was performed for the survival trait using a GBLUP approach in blupf90 software. Heritability ranged from 0.25 ± 0.05 to 0.37 ± 0.05 (mean ± SE) based on pedigree and genomic information respectively. Genomic prediction was more accurate than pedigree prediction, and SNP density reduction had little impact on prediction accuracy until marker densities dropped below approximately 500 SNPs. This demonstrates the potential for GS in Pacific oyster breeding programmes, and importantly, demonstrates that a low number of SNPs might suffice to obtain accurate genomic estimated breeding values, thus potentially making the implementation of GS more cost effective.

Assessment of genetic diversity and population structure in cultured Australian Pacific oysters.

The recent development of Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) SNP genotyping arrays has allowed detailed characterisation of genetic diversity and population structure within and between oyster populations. It also raises the potential of harnessing genomic selection for genetic improvement in oyster breeding programmes. The aim of this study was to characterise a breeding population of Australian oysters through genotyping and analysis of 18 027 SNPs, followed by comparison with genotypes of oyster sampled from Europe and Asia. This revealed that the Australian populations had similar population diversity (HE ) to oysters from New Zealand, the British Isles, France and Japan. Population divergence was assessed using PCA of genetic distance and revealed that Australian oysters were distinct from all other populations tested. Australian Pacific oysters originate from planned introductions sourced from three Japanese populations. Approximately 95% of these introductions were from geographically, and potentially genetically, distinct populations from the Nagasaki oysters assessed in this study. Finally, in preparation for the application of genomic selection in oyster breeding programmes, the strength of LD was evaluated and subsets of loci were tested for their ability to accurately infer relationships. Weak LD was observed on average; however, SNP subsets were shown to accurately reconstitute a genomic relationship matrix constructed using all loci. This suggests that low-density SNP panels may have utility in the Australian population tested, and the findings represent an important first step towards the design and implementation of genomic approaches for applied breeding in Pacific oysters.

Intermittent energy restriction improves weight loss efficiency in obese men: the MATADOR study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The MATADOR (Minimising Adaptive Thermogenesis And Deactivating Obesity Rebound) study examined whether intermittent energy restriction (ER) improved weight loss efficiency compared with continuous ER and, if so, whether intermittent ER attenuated compensatory responses associated with ER. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Fifty-one men with obesity were randomised to 16 weeks of either: (1) continuous (CON), or (2) intermittent (INT) ER completed as 8 × 2-week blocks of ER alternating with 7 × 2-week blocks of energy balance (30 weeks total). Forty-seven participants completed a 4-week baseline phase and commenced the intervention (CON: N=23, 39.4±6.8 years, 111.1±9.1 kg, 34.3±3.0 kg m-2; INT: N=24, 39.8±9.5 years, 110.2±13.8 kg, 34.1±4.0 kg m-2). During ER, energy intake was equivalent to 67% of weight maintenance requirements in both groups. Body weight, fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM) and resting energy expenditure (REE) were measured throughout the study. RESULTS: For the N=19 CON and N=17 INT who completed the intervention per protocol, weight loss was greater for INT (14.1±5.6 vs 9.1±2.9 kg; P<0.001). INT had greater FM loss (12.3±4.8 vs 8.0±4.2 kg; P<0.01), but FFM loss was similar (INT: 1.8±1.6 vs CON: 1.2±2.5 kg; P=0.4). Mean weight change during the 7 × 2-week INT energy balance blocks was minimal (0.0±0.3 kg). While reduction in absolute REE did not differ between groups (INT: -502±481 vs CON: -624±557 kJ d-1; P=0.5), after adjusting for changes in body composition, it was significantly lower in INT (INT: -360±502 vs CON: -749±498 kJ d-1; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Greater weight and fat loss was achieved with intermittent ER. Interrupting ER with energy balance 'rest periods' may reduce compensatory metabolic responses and, in turn, improve weight loss efficiency.

Study protocol: a randomised controlled trial of supervised resistance training versus aerobic training in Sri Lankan adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: SL-DART study.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is rising globally. T2DM is particularly problematic in South Asia with an estimated 10-15% of Sri Lankans diagnosed with the disease. Exercise is known to improve blood glucose, lipid profiles, blood pressure and adiposity, key goals in the management of T2DM. However, much of the evidence to date has been gained from white Caucasians who have a different body composition and disease profile compared to South Asians. Similarly, the recreational exercise culture is new to Sri Lankans and the effects of exercise on T2DM has not been studied in this population. METHODS: The Sri Lanka Diabetes Aerobic and Resistance Training (SL-DART) Study will be comprised of 2 components. Component 1 is a 12-week randomized controlled trial (RCT) to compare the effects of a supervised progressive resistance exercise program (RT) and aerobic exercise program (AT) with standard treatment/control (CN). Sedentary Sri Lankan adults with T2DM (aged 35-65 years) and with no contraindications to exercise will be randomized into one of 3 groups (AT, RT, CN). Exercise sessions will be conducted 2 days/week for 3 months. Baseline and post-intervention biochemical (glycemic control, lipid and liver profiles, inflammatory markers), anthropometric (height, weight, body circumferences), body composition, physical fitness, food preference (liking and wanting food) and quality of life parameters will be measured and compared between groups. Component 2 will be a qualitative study conducted immediately post-intervention via in-depth interviews to assess the barriers and facilitators for adherence to each exercise program. DISCUSSION: SL-DART Study represents one of the first adequately powered methodologically sound RCTs conducted in South Asia to assess the effects of resistance and aerobic exercise in participants with T2DM. Triangulation of quantitative and qualitative outcomes will enable the design of a culturally appropriate therapeutic physical activity intervention for Sri Lankans with T2DM, and the initiation of a professionally driven and specialized clinical exercise prescription service. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Sri Lanka Clinical Trials Registry; SLCTR/2016/017 . Date registered 17.06.2016. Universal trial number U1111-1181-7561.

Effect of exercise training on liver function in adults who are overweight or exhibit fatty liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Exercise training has been shown to have beneficial effects on liver function in adults overweight or with fatty liver disease. To establish which exercise programme characteristics were likely to elicit optimal improvements. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised, controlled trials. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, CINAHL and Cochrane controlled trials registry searched (1966 to 2 October 2015). ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES: Exercise intervention, with or without dietary intervention, versus usual care in adults undertaking, exercise training, who were overweight, obese or exhibited fatty liver disease (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis). RESULTS: We included 21 randomised controlled trials, totalling 1530 participants. Exercise intervention studies with total exercise programme workload >10 000 kcal produced significant improvements in intrahepatic fat, -3.46% (95% CI -5.20% to -1.73%), p<0.0001, I2=73%; effect size (standardised mean difference, SMD) -1.77 (-3.11 to -0.42), p=0.01, I2=77%. When data from only exercise studies were pooled, there was a reduction in fasting free fatty acids (FFAs) -74.15 µmol/L (95% CI -118.47 to -29.84), p=0.001, I2=67% with a large effect size (SMD) -0.94 (-1.36 to -0.52), p<0.0001, I2=0%. When data from only exercise studies were pooled, there was a significant reduction in insulin MD -1.88 UL (95% CI -3.43 to -0.34), p=0.02, I2=31%. The liver enzymes, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, were not significantly altered with exercise. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise training reduces intrahepatic fat and FFAs while increasing cardiorespiratory fitness. An aggregate exercise programme energy expenditure (>10 000 kcal) may be required to promote reductions in intrahepatic fat.

Are publicly available internet resources enabling women to make informed fertility preservation decisions before starting cancer treatment: an environmental scan?

BACKGROUND: To identify publicly available internet resources and assess their likelihood to support women making informed decisions about, and between, fertility preservation procedures before starting their cancer treatment. METHODS: A survey of publically available internet resources utilising an environmental scan method. Inclusion criteria were applied to hits from searches of three data sources (November 2015; repeated June 2017): Google (Chrome) for patient resources; repositories for clinical guidelines and projects; distribution email lists to contact patient decision aid experts. The Data Extraction Sheet applied to eligible resources elicited: resource characteristics; informed and shared decision making components; engagement health services. RESULTS: Four thousand eight hundred fifty one records were identified; 24 patient resources and 0 clinical guidelines met scan inclusion criteria. Most resources aimed to inform women with cancer about fertility preservation procedures and infertility treatment options, but not decision making between options. There was a lack of consistency about how health conditions, decision problems and treatment options were described, and resources were difficult to understand. CONCLUSIONS: Unless developed as part of a patient decision aid project, resources did not include components to support proactively women's fertility preservation decisions. Current guidelines help people deliver information relevant to treatment options within a single disease pathway; we identified five additional components for patient decision aid checklists to support more effectively people's treatment decision making across health pathways, linking current with future health problems.

Oral health experiences of individuals with Rett syndrome: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: There is relatively little literature on the oral health experiences of individuals with Rett syndrome. This study described the incidence of dental extractions and restorations in a population-based cohort, according to a range of demographic and clinical factors. The association between bruxism and age was also investigated. METHODS: Existing questionnaire data in the population-based Australian Rett Syndrome Database for the years 2004, 2006, 2009 or 2011 on genetically confirmed female cases (n = 242) were analysed. RESULTS: The incidence rate of restorations and extractions were 6.8 per 100 person years (py) and 9.3 per 100 py respectively. The incidence of extractions decreased with increasing levels of income. Compared to those with a C-terminal mutation, the incidence rate of extraction was higher for those with large deletions (Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR) 4.93; 95% CI 1.46-16.7, p = 0.01). There was a 5% decrease in the risk of frequent bruxism for every one-year increase in age (Risk Ratio 0.95; 95% CI 0.94-0.97). CONCLUSIONS: Social advantage may provide some protection for dental health in individuals with Rett syndrome. Those with more severe genotypes seemed to have poorer oral health outcomes.

Examining trainee awareness of dermatoses and dermatological assessments during acute admissions (A quality improvement project).

Studies demonstrate 67% of elderly patients can have dermatoses, which could result in functional and psychological consequences. Elderly presentations are further complicated by comorbidities and polypharmacy. This combined with limited dermatology training at undergraduate and postgraduate levels creates diagnostic challenges. This project investigated dermatology assessments by trainees using the Trust's acute medical admissions proforma. 100 proforma were reviewed for skin assessments alongside nursing skin care bundles. Subsequently, a skin survey was conducted amongst trainees evaluating knowledge and confidence when diagnosing and managing common dermatoses. Successively, a dermatology teaching series was delivered. Post-intervention the above were reassessed, demonstrating improvements in most areas. The dermatology teaching series will continue alongside a Trust hospital guideline to sustain improvements in dermatological care on admission.

New treatments for serious conditions: ethical implications.

Approval of Spinraza (nusinersen) for treatment of spinal muscular atrophy prompts consideration of a number of ethical issues that arise whenever a new treatment is proposed for a serious condition, especially one that is rare and can devastatingly affect children. Patients, families, clinicians, researchers, institutions and policymakers all must take account of the ways that newly available treatments affect informed and shared decision-making about therapeutic and research options. The issues to consider include: addressing what is still uncertain and unknown; the possibility that potential benefits will be exaggerated and potential harms underemphasized in the media, by advocacy organizations, and in consent forms and processes; the high cost of many novel drugs and biologics; the effects of including conditions of variable phenotype in state-mandated newborn screening panels; and how new treatments can change the standard of care, altering what is and is not known about a disorder and posing challenges for decision-making at both individual and policy levels. The good news that Spinraza brings thus requires additional attention to its ethical and policy implications, to improve counseling and shared decision-making about treatment and research options for patients and all involved in their care.

Living with 'melanoma' for a day: a phenomenological analysis of medical students' simulated experiences.

BACKGROUND: Despite the rising incidence of melanoma, medical students have progressively fewer opportunities to encounter patients with this important condition. Curricula tend to attach the greatest value to intellectual forms of learning. However, compared with intellectual learning, experiential learning affords students deep insights about a condition. Doctors who experience ill health are more empathic towards patients. However, opportunities to learn about cancer experientially are limited. Temporary transfer tattoos can simulate the ill health associated with melanoma. We reasoned that if doctors who have been sick are more empathic temporarily 'having' melanoma might have a similar effect. OBJECTIVES: To explore the impact of wearing a melanoma tattoo on medical students' understanding of patienthood and attitudes towards patients with melanoma. METHODS: Ten fourth-year medical students were recruited to a simulation. They wore a melanoma tattoo for 24 h and listened to a patient's account of receiving their diagnosis. Data were captured using audio diaries and face-to-face interviews, transcribed and analysed phenomenologically using the template analysis method. RESULTS: There were four themes: (i) melanoma simulation: opening up new experiences; (ii) drawing upon past experiences; (iii) a transformative introduction to patienthood; (iv) doctors in the making: seeing cancer patients in a new light. CONCLUSIONS: By means of a novel simulation, medical students were introduced to lived experiences of having a melanoma. Such an inexpensive simulation can prompt students to reflect critically on the empathetic care of such patients in the future.

Acute post-exercise energy and macronutrient intake in lean and obese youth: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: This review aims to determine if acute exercise affects subsequent energy and macronutrients intake in obese and non-obese children and adolescents. METHODS: Databases were searched between January 2015 and December 2015 for studies reporting energy and/or macronutrients intake immediately after an acute exercise and control condition, in children and adolescents. From the initial 118 references found, 14 were included for subsequent analysis after screening representing 31 acute exercise conditions that varied in intensity, duration and modality. RESULTS: One study found increased energy intake after exercise, seven decreased and 23 revealed no change. The meta-analysis revealed a significant effect of acute exercise on intake in obese but not in lean youth by a mean difference of -0.430 (95% confidence interval=-0.703 to -0.157, P=0.002) displaying low heterogeneity (I2=0.000; Q=5.875; df=9, P=0.752). The analysis showed that intense exercise only reduces intake in obese children (no intensity effect in lean). Unchanged macronutrients intake was reported in nine studies as opposed to three which found modified lipids, protein and/or carbohydrate intake. CONCLUSION: Although acute exercise does not affect energy intake in lean, it appears to reduced food intake in obese youth when intense, without altering the macronutrients composition of the meal.

Can comprehensive specialised end-of-life care be provided at home? Lessons from a study of an innovative consultant-led community service in the UK.

The Midhurst Macmillan Specialist Palliative Care Service (MMSPCS) is a UK, medical consultant-led, multidisciplinary team aiming to provide round-the-clock advice and care, including specialist interventions, in the home, community hospitals and care homes. Of 389 referrals in 2010/11, about 85% were for cancer, from a population of about 155 000. Using a mixed method approach, the evaluation comprised: a retrospective analysis of secondary-care use in the last year of life; financial evaluation of the MMSPCS using an Activity Based Costing approach; qualitative interviews with patients, carers, health and social care staff and MMSPCS staff and volunteers; a postal survey of General Practices; and a postal survey of bereaved caregivers using the MMSPCS. The mean cost is about 3000 GBP (3461 EUR) per patient with mean cost of interventions for cancer patients in the last year of life 1900 GBP (2192 EUR). Post-referral, overall costs to the system are similar for MMSPCS and hospice-led models; however, earlier referral avoided around 20% of total costs in the last year of life. Patients and carers reported positive experiences of support, linked to the flexible way the service worked. Seventy-one per cent of patients died at home. This model may have application elsewhere.

Association between dental caries and adiposity status (general, central, and peripheral adiposity) in 12-year-old children.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate the cross-sectional relationship between dental caries experience and adiposity status (general, central, and peripheral adiposity) in 12-year-old children in Hong Kong. METHODS: A random sample of 668 12-year-old students was recruited. Clinical assessment for dental caries (DMFT) was conducted using WHO criteria. Anthropometric measurements for body height, body weight, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference and triceps skinfold thickness (TRSKF) were performed to assess general adiposity (weight-height ratio, body mass index); central adiposity (WC; waist-hip ratio, WHR), and peripheral adiposity (TRSKF). Associations between adiposity indices and dental caries experience [prevalence DMFT > 0, 'high' experience (DMFT ≥ SiC Index value) and 'very high' experience (DMFT ≥ SiC10 Index value)] were examined in bivariate and multivariate regression analyses. RESULTS: The response rate was 76.9% (n = 514/668). Regression analyses (adjusted for oral hygiene practice, snacking habits, and socio-demographic factors) identified that WHR z score was associated with 'high' dental caries experience (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.05, 1.70, p = 0.02), and that WHR z score was associated with 'very high' dental caries experience (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.10, 2.11, p = 0.01). TRSKF z score was associated with 'very high' dental caries experience (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.10, 1.96, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In a population-based sample of 12-year-old children in Hong Kong, dental caries experience was associated with adiposity. Central and peripheral, but not general adiposity was associated with dental caries experience.