The Big PictureDentists' role in childhood obesity
Section snippets
Background
Overweight and obesity are associated with and serve as risk factors for several chronic diseases over the course of a person's lifetime. Childhood obesity is currently a major public health problem worldwide. It is associated with dental caries in several studies, with a possible explanation centering on the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and frequent snacking on carbohydrate-rich foods as common risk factors for both disorders. The efforts to promote healthy weight in
Major findings
The findings presented were based on systematic or scoping reviews of the literature and surveys of pediatric dentists and dental hygienists. The primary outcomes with respect to risk factors for childhood obesity were as follows:
- 1.
Low to moderate evidence found that consumption of sugar-containing beverages is associated with total and central adiposity among children under age 12 years.
- 2.
Among the important modifiable risk factors for childhood obesity are behavioral factors, psychosocial
Implications
With the evidence that body mass index (BMI) and caries risk are associated in children, it becomes obvious that coordination of care between oral health professionals and other health care professionals is in the best interest of the child. Screening for obesity does not require special equipment or expensive tests, so screening should not be burdensome. If they can make appropriate referrals, dentists and dental hygienists could have a significant impact on the life of the child with respect
Recommendations
Implementing changes based on the findings and implications of this conference will be challenging. Research is needed in many of these areas. Curriculum changes will be needed to ensure dental professionals have the tools to provide effective screening and intervention programs. This includes continuing education courses and campaigns to improve professionals' knowledge about the problem of childhood obesity and screening methods, as well as behavior modification techniques to provide
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Garcia RI, Kleinman D, Holt K, et al: Healthy futures: Engaging the oral health community in childhood obesity prevention—conference summary and recommendations. J Pub Health Dent 77:S136-S140, 2017
Reprints available from RI Garcia, Boston Univ Henry M Goldman School of Dental Medicine, 560 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118-2436; fax: (617) 638-6381; e-mail: [email protected]