Issues of Oral Health and Childhood Obesity - Research Paper Example

Policy Brief on Oral Health and Childhood Obesity Nerice Pitt HPS 202 Assignment 1 Executive summary This research was aimed at taking a critical view of the issue of obesity and dental caries among young children aged between 1 and 6 years in Australia as our focus. This report is particularly important in highlighting those challenges that children are facing as a result of obesity and dental caries. This study has established that obesity and dental caries among children is a very common problem and that it is a threat to the lives of many children. This is because, apart from causing health related challenges, the problem also causes physical and psychological challenges to the affected child. The study has also established that in most cases this problem is associated with eating and exercising habits for children. On the same line, the parents play a very big role in influencing the children’s eating habits and how to create an environment of health eating. It is with this regard that it has been recommended that the policy be changed in order to empower parents in the society in general, in dealing with and managing obesity and dental caries cases. Obesity and dental caries is a big issue in the global society and in particular the case of Australia where the trends have shown high prevalence as opposed to other countries. Section 1: Importance of issue 1. An overview Childhood obesity and caries are a major challenge among young children in Australia as is in case of many other developed countries. Addressing this issue is therefore important in tackling health related problems that may affect children through to their adulthood. Paying attention to this issue is expected to deal with managing a number of associated factors like the causative factors, effects and the prevention measures for obesity and dental caries among young children in the country. 1.1 Causative factors According to Rhee (2008), the major causative factor for obesity and dental caries in Australia has been greatly associated with the over-consumption of energy-dense foods and other sugar-added beverages. Fast foods, sweet beverages, snacks and sweet drinks as well as biscuits or cookies are also known to contribute significantly high amounts of energy to the diets consumed by young children. With this regard therefore, it is assumed that the adequacy or the excess of a given nutrient is the major cause for this problem. By properly managing these problems, related health consequences like psychosocial issues, glucose intolerance, hepatic steatosis, hyperlipidaemia, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, sleep apnoea and hypertension among children can be reduced significantly. In the same instance, dietary nutrition and feeding styles have direct influence on the child’s growth and development. What this means is that if these problems are not addressed earlier enough, there is a likelihood that prevalence rates which stands about 5% currently in the case of Australia according to Hawkins and Law (2006), may increase and this will definitely affect the future health status of the Australian society. Parenting feeding styles in the case of Australia have also been blamed on the current prevalence with regard to obesity and dental carie cases in the country currently. For instance, the models used by parents to restrict, monitor, and control the diet consumed by their children alongside creating an environment under which they exercise and get more knowledge on nutrition is of a worry. This is because the trends seem to point out that children are most likely to adapt the lifestyles of their parents (Skouteris et al, 2011). This is to mean that if parents are not adequately informed on the responsibilities, especially on their eating styles, then the problem is to persist. Handling these issues therefore, creates an opportunity both for the parents to access information on what is expected of them with regard and obesity and dental caries, and how they can contribute in reducing the related cases (Ball 2004). 1.2 Effects on children Obesity and dental caries among children, is likely to be a major concern among children. For instance when children grow up, they are likely to suffer from victimization and isolation by others because of their health status (Bayer et al 2009). The same students are likely to be less productive given that they will not be able to concentrate both at learning and work. In the Australian context, solving this problem will therefore help in creating a society of productive workers, with less health complications; especially at a time when the working population has a decreasing number of young people (Skouteris et al (2011). 1.3 Prevention The importance of having this problem discussed is that preventive measures are likely to be identified and more importantly that it has been established that there is a direct relationship between obesity and dental caries. This is after research has shown that a majority of young children who suffer from obesity are also potential candidates of dental caries. This is due to the food consumed and that is likely to cause obesity such as sweet and fast foods which possibly cause the problem. The importance of creating this issue therefore is to create awareness (Ball 2004). 2. Outline of the health implications Childhood obesity and dental caries is a major issue in Australia and it has very serious implications on the future health situation in the country. According to the Victorian Child Health and Wellbeing (VCHWS), 2009, obesity and dental caries is a global health crisis, more especially in the developed countries and in particular urbanized populations. For example, in Australia, the trends have continued to change since 2003 after it’s estimated that the prevalence of those children that suffer from obesity and dental complications has continued to increase by 1% each year. Evidence is showing that obesity and dental caries among children is associated with various risks including medical, physical and psychological which may happen either before or during late childhood. The medical concerns caused by obesity include physical and impairing of the insulin and glucose tolerance (Traynor et al (2006). The other related medical conditions and that of grave matter caused by obesity among children through to their adulthood include hypertension and increase of fats around the liver which can lead to various medical illnesses like diabetes and cardiovascular as well as liver diseases. Actually these diseases are a major concern not only in Australia but globally. This is due to the contribution of about 21% of the total mortalities globally according to VCHWS report 2009. It is also stated that obesity among children is related to psychological problems including isolation, bullying, and peer pressures. What this may cause to the child is low-self-esteem which is accompanied by increased loneliness and loss of security. These factors directly impact on developing skills, and a lack of satisfaction with physical appearance (Skouteris et al 2011). Section 2: Communication of the research 1. Current prevalence rates While the prevalence rates of obese children in Australia seem to be relatively lower as opposed to other developed countries like the United States, the rate is considered among the highest in the western countries. During the 2007 study by the Australian National Children’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey, it was established that 17% of children aged between 1-16 years were overweight and consequently were obese. The concern about this trend is it that the problem starts at an age as early as 1 year, and continues to become worse as young ones continue to grow. This is affected by the lifestyle and the feeding patterns and diets offered by their parents. This problem according to Cheryl-Ann, et al (2009), is affected by a number of factors among them including economic circumstances. For instance, the research by Bayer et al (2009), which studied the obesity prevalence rates among 4934 children aged between 5 and 6 years in Australia, revealed that 80.9% were within normal weight, while 14.0% were overweight and 5.8% were obese in the case of boys. In the case of girls, prevalence is 77.6%, 16.5% and 5.8% for non-overweight, overweight and obese respectively. However, this finding contradicts those by Australian National Children’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey which show prevalence rates to be about 17% for the children aged between 1 and 16 years (Wigen et al 2009). Perhaps this is because children grow, they tend to increase their consumption of the foods introduced unto them at early childhood. 2. Problem of childhood obesity and dental caries As mentioned previously, obesity and dental caries are a big problem to physical and psychological aspects of a child. This is because it affects their lives in a number of ways. For instance, if it is argued that the children who suffer from obesity are likely to suffer discrimination, isolation and lack of self-esteem, there is likelihood that they will not be free to participate in physical exercises, something that is helpful in building their health. What this will mean to the children suffering from this problem is the inability to learn physical skills including those that relate to sporting (Cheryl-Ann et al 2009). 3. The financial/economic implications of childhood obesity and dental disease. Obesity and dental carie cases are likely to impact negatively into the society in terms of the cost incurred to managing and treating this complication. To start with, obesity and dental issues are stubborn illnesses. It is therefore almost paramount treatment is necessary (Pahel et al 2005). Family and the government in particular, will be forced to arrange medical care to help prevent the problem, and simultaneously provide proper medical attention to those already affected. This will increase household and government budget expenditures. In some cases, attend regular medical check-ups, which might be an expense that cannot be afforded by the majority and in particular the low-income earners (Ball 2004). 4. Common risk factors for obesity and dental disease. Children who suffer from obesity and dental caries, both face serious risks that may have a permanent impact in their lives. Some of the risks that these children are likely to suffer include those related to health. First and foremost, it is established that there is direct correlation between the factors that cause obesity and dental caries. This is to imply that with obesity, the child is most likely facing the risk of dental illnesses (Pahel et al, 2005). The other risks that obesity and dental caries can subject children to include suffering from psychosocial issues, glucose intolerance, hepatic steatosis, cholithiasis, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes, and polycystic ovarian ailment as well as sleep apnoea. Further, the risk associated with obesity and dental caries and in particular, obesity, is that the affected children are likely to suffer from retarded growth. For example, according the World Health Organisation (WHO, 2002), in (Merrilyn et al 2012), the early introduction of solid food to children at a younger age, might have serious health implications later on in life. Children, who are subjected into this situation, are most likely to suffer from serious respiratory illnesses in life and at the same time are subject to the risk of Early Childhood Caries (ECC). Children who suffer from ECC are likely to have retarded growth since their digestion process will not be functioning as it ought to be (Harris et al, 2004). 5. Parental influences 5.1 Parental influences on dental caries Early childhood caries (ECC), is one the most common chronic ailments among children. The recent survey in Australia by Cheryl-Ann et al (2009), established that about 50% of the 6-year old children in the country suffer from ECC. This prevalence is higher as opposed to 30% and 40% for the case of US and UK respectively. These differences are attributed to the variances in consumption of high sugars among children which are more often than not administered by their parents (Wigen et al 2009). 5.2 Parental influences on obesity cases Parents have great influence on the occurrence of obesity among children. Research is showing that practices of restrictions and monitoring as well diet control such as using rewards and creating a healthy eating environment and role modelling by the parents in relation to eating habits, directly influence the obese status of young children. On the same note, children are likely to adapt to new foods and health eating habits if they see their parents do so. In simple terms, parenting styles directly influence the obesity status of their children based on what they practice (Merrilyn et al 2012). Section 3: the implications of the research This research has established that the issue of obesity and dental caries is a reality not only in Australia but globally and in particular the western world. This problem has been attributed to the eating habits among children, a practice that is commonly initiated by the parents. The research has also established that obesity and dental caries bear risks that include medical, physical and psychological; all of which affect the child’s livelihood (Wigen Et al 2009). Further, the parenting style is the key factor in this issue. Since, this problem affects both child growth and development and life with peers, medical attention is required; alongside ensuring appropriate preventive measures are put in place. Furthermore, the parental role has been found to be the person who plays a major role in the occurrence of obesity and dental carie cases among children and therefore awareness of parents’ practices in feeding and role modelling on eating should be encouraged (Merrilyn et al, 2012). Section 4: Considerations for policy In order to help curb the problem of obesity and dental caries in the country, there is need to undertake fundamental changes in order to effectively tackle this problem. Based on the research findings, change in policy is important in dealing with this problem. This is because it will address specific areas of the problem. 1. Supporting access to parenting education for all parents so that they can get the chance to effectively change factors that cause or contribute to obesity and dental caries among their children. 2. Providing both resource support to organizations that engaged in public health campaigns to enable adequate education to the general public in how to effectively handle problems associated with obesity and dental caries. 3. Finally, further research is recommended to unfold the challenges that are associated with policy changes and its sustainability in its goal. Reference Ball, K. (2004). Crawford D. Socio-economic status and weight change in adults: a review. Soc Sci Med; 60, p. 1987–2010. Bayer O, von Kries R, Strauss A, Mitschek C, Toschke A, Hose A, Koletzko B. (2009). 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Overweight, obesity and girth of Australian pre-schoolers: prevalence and socio-economic correlates, International Journal of Obesity, 31, p. 1044–1051. Wigen. T.I., Skaret, E, and Wang, N.J. (2009). Dental avoidance behaviour in parent and child as risk indicators for caries in 5-year-old children. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, 19, p. 431–7. Read More