Effect of Obesity and Lifestyle on the Oral Health of Pre Adolescent Children

Background: Worldwide estimates of childhood obesity are as high as 43 million, and rates continue to increase each year. Childhood obesity is a growing problem in the present era and it causes serious consequences in the later years. In today’s society, electronic media have been thoroughly integrated into the fabric of life, with television, video games, and computers being central to both work and play. While these media outlets can provide education and entertainment to children, many researches are concerned with the negative impact of electronic media on children.

Objective: The current study aimed to evaluate the correlation, as to how oral hygiene and periodontal health were influenced by obesity and lifestyle factors, among pre-adolescents of ages of 9-12 years.

Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in schools located around Velachery, Chennai, India. A total of 426 children of age group of 9-12 years were selected. Information on their socio-economic, dietary, oral health statuses and time spent in leisure activities were assessed by using a questionnaire, followed by BMI estimation and these variables were correlated with their oral hygiene statuses.

Results: The prevalence of poor oral hygiene and poor dietary habits was observed in children who spent more time in watching television, playing videogames and using computer. Good oral hygiene was observed in children who had visited dentists in the past.

Conclusion: There is a strong association of lifestyle factors with oral hygiene in pre-adolescent children. Sedentary lifestyle, with more leisure activities, has a negative impact on the oral health of children.

Children who carry a lot of excess weight and have too much fat in their body are classed as being obese. Body mass index is acceptable for determining obesity in children who are two years of age and older. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has defined obesity as a BMI of greater than or equal to the 95th percentile. It is mainly caused by regularly consuming more energy (calories) from food and drink, than the body uses and by not taking up enough physical activity. Obesity in India is on the rise. Sixteen percent of 6 to19-year-olds are overweight or obese and there has been three times increase in the recent years [1]. Overweight children are more likely to suffer from a range of chronic health problems such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnoea and asthma; they are also more likely to be obese as adults [2]. Children who are overweight or obese are often stigmatized by their peers, which can increase the likelihood of poor self–esteem, depression and the risk of social discrimination [3].

Research conducted at Harvard had first linked TV watching to obesity more than 25 years ago [4]. Watching television, using the computer, and playing video games occupy a large percentage of children’s leisure times, thus influencing their physical activity levels. It has been estimated that children in the United States are spending 25 percent of their waking hours watching television and statistically, children who watch the most hours of television have the highest incidence of obesity [5]. This trend is apparent not only because little energy is expended while viewing television, but also because of the concurrent consumption of high-calorie snacks.

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