The most recent (2013/14) National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) showed that 33 per cent of 11 year olds were overweight or obese, and research shows that obese young people are more likely to have decay in their permanent teeth.
Claire Stevens, spokeswoman for BSPD, said that obesity and dental decay were both preventable health issues linked to the consumption of food and drinks which are high in sugar and low in nutritional value.
She said: “Poor nutrition poses a clear health risk to children and young people. We support all calls for clearer food labelling and our members wish to be part of a co-ordinated approach to raising awareness of the damaging impact of food and drinks which are high in sugar or fat, or both, and low in vitamins.
Health risks of obesity include:
- cardiovascular disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Asthma
Obesity can also affect a child’s self-esteem, emotional and mental health, and may lead to depression.
Claire, a Consultant in Paediatric Dentistry, said: “The combination of physiological and psychological factors makes obesity a significant concern for everyone working in the field of health.”
She carries out many operations annually to remove decayed teeth in children – sometimes as young as three years old. When a child is obese, there are greater risks to the procedure including the requirement for an initial assessment to determine how to proceed and a longer stay in hospital.
“Obesity is accompanied by associated health risks and psychological problems which affect many aspects of an individual’s life. In the big picture, obesity costs the NHS 5bn each year with 40,000 people dying of conditions attributable to being overweight or obese.”
Obesity and poor dental health are both more likely to be found in areas of deprivation. In the most recent survey of five year olds in England, 44 per cent of the variation in decay levels in local authorities was explained by differences in deprivation level.
Claire said BSPD supports national healthy eating campaigns such as the change4life, the Action on Sugar campaign, NHS choices Eat well plate and Sugar swaps and the BDA’s Make a meal of it campaign.