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Healthy Futures: Engaging the oral health community in childhood obesity prevention – Conference summary and recommendations
Author(s) -
Garcia Raul I.,
Kleinman Dushanka,
Holt Katrina,
Battrell Ann,
Casamassimo Paul,
Grover Jane,
Tinanoff Norman
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of public health dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.64
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1752-7325
pISSN - 0022-4006
DOI - 10.1111/jphd.12227
Subject(s) - snacking , childhood obesity , medicine , obesity , public health , gerontology , environmental health , family medicine , political science , nursing , overweight
Childhood obesity is a major public health problem. An association between obesity and dental caries, the most prevalent disease of childhood, has been identified. One explanation for the association is that consumption of sugar‐sweetened beverages and frequent snacking on carbohydrate‐rich foods are common risk factors for development of both obesity and caries. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) has been at the forefront of national efforts to promote healthy weight in children. As part of these efforts, RWJF sponsored the Healthy Futures: Engaging the Oral Health Community in Childhood Obesity Prevention National Conference, held on November 3–4, 2016, at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. The aim of the conference was to increase awareness of evidence‐based recommendations; identify strategies; and promote collaborative efforts that oral health professionals, oral‐health‐related organizations, and others can employ to prevent childhood obesity. This report summarizes the findings presented at the conference and discusses their implications. The report also reviews recommendations made in the areas of research, education, and policy that resulted from the conference.