Table 2 Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria

 Dental caries measured by differences in the number of teeth or surfaces that were decayed, missing, filled or presence/absence of caries

 BMI objectively measured

 The relationship between caries and BMI examined in individuals less than 18 years old

 Observational studies analysing primary or secondary data

Exclusion criteria

 Adult population (> 18 years old)

 No exclusions on gender or ethnicity

 Did not assess dental caries, BMI or the association between the two

 Self-reported measures of BMI

 Narrative reviews, case reports, letters and editorials

 Animal studies

 Grey literature

 Studies published in languages other than English