BSPD targets obesity and dental decay
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- Published: Thursday, 05 March 2015 07:53
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The TV programme called Junk Food Kids - who's to blame was partially shot in Leeds Dental Institute and coincides with a co-ordinated offensive to tackle both obesity and dental decay in children and young people by the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD). A new position statement from BSPD highlights the diet and lifestyle factors common to the two conditions which are both alarmingly prevalent among Under 16s.
The most recent (2013/14) National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) showed that 33% 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 foods and drinks which are high in sugar or fat, or both, and low in vitamins.
Claire, a Consultant in Paediatric Dentistry, said: “The combination of physiological and psychological factors make 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 3. When a child is obese, there aare greater risks in the procedure requiring 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 £5 billion 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% 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 Sugar swaps and the BDA’s Make a meal of it campaign, the Action on Sugar campaign and NHS choices Eat well plate.
The Health Select Committee is taking evidence about child oral health on February 24.
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