Table 1 Study inclusion and exclusion criteria

Types of study

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses

All other types of study

Period of study

Any systematic review from 1990 to 2017

Systematic review prior to 1990

Types of participants

Children as defined by < 18 years

Studies where children are not the population of interest

Primary outcomes

Dental caries experience (as measured by any means)

Studies where dental caries is not the outcome of interest, i.e. other dental problems

Exposure/risk factor phenomena of interest

Body weight as measured by BMI, or any means

Studies which do not look at body weight in relation to dental caries experience

Language

Full articles in English

Relevant articles in languages other than English