Aguida C. Atkinson, M.D.

Nemours PediatricsEmail: aatkins@nemours.org

September 23, 2009

The Link Between Oral Health, Nutrition & Childhood Obesity

Is there a relationship between childhood obesity & dental caries?

Center for Disease Control & Prevention, 2007www.cdc.gov

Prevalence of Obesity in U.S. Preschool Children from Low-income

Families

Prevalence Dental Caries

Center for Disease Control & Prevention, 2007www.cdc.gov

Center for Disease Control & Prevention, 2007www.cdc.gov

Prevalence Dental Caries

I’m gonna get you! Give me that sugar!

Most prevalent infectious disease in U.S. children

“Streptococci Mutans”The Cavity Creator

streptococci mutanspoor oral hygiene

poor nutrition habits

vulnerable toothlack of flouride

protection

CAVITY

Research

LOCATION STUDY AGES FINDINGS

Finland Tuomi, 1989 +/-

Germany Willershausen, 2004 6-11 +

U.S. Dye, 2004 2-5 N/A

U.S. Hillgers, 2006 8-11 +

Brazil Kantovitz, 2006 +/-

U.S. Kopycka-Kedzierawski, 2007 2-18 +/-

Brazil Granville-Garcia, 2008 1-5 -

U.S. Hong, 2008 2-6 +/-

Research suggests…

“Neither obesity increases risk of caries nor caries increases the risk for

obesity, but rather a common risk factor increased the likelihood of both

diseases”

Marshall, et al*

*as seen in Hong, 2008

Common Risk Factors in Childhood Obesity & Dental Caries

AAP Recommendations for Prevention

The End

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States, 1998-2008. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 58(28), 769-773. Ogden, C. et al (1997). Prevalence of Overweight Among Preschool Children in the United States, 1971 Through 1994. Pedriatrics,

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