Advancing oral health policy and advocacy to prevent childhood obesity and reduce children's consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages

Feasibility and acceptability of home delivery of water for dental caries control in Latinx children-"Sediento por una Sonrisa," Thirsty for a Smile: Single-arm feasibility study

Background

Outcomes of surgical treatments under general anesthesia for early childhood caries of young children from low-income groups are poor requiring retreatment within 2 years. Dietary sugar is an ideal intervention target given that it is the most prominent risk factor for dental caries and there is increasing evidence of successful interventions to reduce its intake. Our aim is to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of the Thirsty for a Smile intervention, designed to promote consumption of water in lieu of sugar sweetened beverages, among children who underwent surgery for early childhood caries and their caregivers, mostly from Latino heritage.

Methods

A single-arm feasibility study was conducted in a dental practice from a community health center in eastern Washington State. Bottled water was delivered to the participants' homes and caregivers received patient-centered counseling for setting goals to increase children's water intake and reduce sugar sweetened beverages consumption. We assessed the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and study procedures through participation rates, interviews and a questionnaire completed by the caregivers. Data was analyzed and themes and descriptive statistics presented.

Results

Twenty-two dyads of caregivers and their children between 2 and 9 years old who recently had surgical treatment for early childhood dental caries were enrolled. All study assessments were completed by more than 90% of participants, except for the final 24-h dietary recall (73%). Dietary counseling, both in person and brief telephone calls, was highly acceptable to the caregivers, and they also reported their children enjoyed and used the water bottles. On a scale from 1 to 10, the average rating for the helpfulness of the dietary counseling component for changing child's drinking habits was 9.62 and for the water delivery component, 8.86.

Conclusions

This study tested the feasibility of conducting a trial in a dental practice setting, and the acceptability among caregivers of young children who underwent surgery for early childhood caries. It demonstrated that the Thirsty for a Smile intervention and study processes were feasible and acceptable. The study provides useful information for implementation of a two-arm randomized controlled trial in this setting and may also benefit other researchers attempting to test similar interventions.

Development and psychometric testing of the intention to engage in children's healthy weight (iCHeW) guideline scale for dental staff

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

In the evaluation of interdisciplinary interventions for childhood overweight and obesity, behavioural determinants can provide valuable insight into the reasons behind lack of adherence, or ineffectiveness of the intervention. Therefore, it is vital to assess the behavioural determinants of staff when evaluating the implementation of such interdisciplinary interventions. This study aimed to develop and psychometrically evaluate the intention to engage in Children's Healthy Weight guideline (iCHeW) scale, which assesses the behavioural determinants influencing dental staff's intention to conduct children's growth assessments.

METHODS

Initial items were generated based on review of the literature and the dimensions of the integrative model of behavioural prediction (IM). To test this scale, a cross-sectional survey design was undertaken consisting of three phases: (i) face validity; (ii) content validity; and (iii) psychometric evaluation of the iCHeW scale with a national sample of 125 dental staff.

RESULTS

The 35 items generated for the iCHeW scale were revised following feedback from a reference group. These 35 items were then appraised by an expert panel, yielding 27 items for psychometric testing. Using exploratory factor analysis, a five-factor solution was extracted, which corresponded to the IM domains, with the deletion of two items. Overall, Cronbach's alpha of the iCHeW scale was 0.95, with the following values for each subscale: (i) attitudes, 0.93; (ii) behavioural constraints, 0.83; (iii) perceived norms, 0.93; (iv) self-efficacy, 0.94; and (v) behavioural intention, 0.95.

CONCLUSIONS

The iCHeW scale is valid and reliable for assessing dental staff's intention to provide routine growth assessments to children and demonstrates potential for use with non-dental staff.

A scoping review of outcomes commonly reported in obesity prevention interventions aiming to improve obesity-related health behaviors in children to age 5 years

This scoping review was undertaken as the first stage of development of the Core Outcome Sets for Early Prevention of Obesity in CHildhood (COS-EPOCH). The aim of this review is to identify the outcomes collected and reported in randomized controlled trials of early childhood obesity prevention interventions. A systematic scoping review was undertaken following published guidelines. Trial registries and Medline were searched, and records retrieved were screened by two reviewers. Included trials aimed to prevent childhood obesity in the first 5 years of life and were randomized. Data were extracted using a standardized form. Outcomes were assigned to outcome domains, and similar definitions within each domain were merged, based on key literature and expert consensus. Outcome and domain frequencies were estimated and presented in outcome matrices. Eighteen outcome domains were identified from 161 included studies: "anthropometry," "dietary intake," "physical activity," "sedentary behaviour," "emotional functioning/wellbeing," "feeding," "cognitive/executive functioning," "sleep," "other," "study-related," "parenting practices," "motor skill development," "environmental," "blood and lymphatic system," "perceptions and preferences," "quality of life," and "economic," "oral health." The most frequently reported outcome domain was anthropometry (92% of studies), followed by dietary intake (77%) and physical activity (60%). 221 unique outcomes were identified, indicating a high degree of heterogeneity. Body mass index was the only outcome reported in >50% of studies. The considerable heterogeneity in outcomes supports the need for the development of COS-EPOCH.

A narrative review of the effects of sugar-sweetened beverages on human health: A key global health issue

The provision of healthy and safe food is vital for human health, and the addition of unnecessary sugars in foodstuffs is an important global issue, leading to multiple long- and short-term health issues and spiraling costs for individuals and governments alike. The negative effect of excess sugar consumption contributes to adverse health conditions, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and poor oral health in both high and low resource settings. A key plank of governmental and health promotion bodies' nutritional guidance is to raise public awareness of "hidden" sugars, salt, and fats, such as found in processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), and guide individuals to reduce their consumption. This rapid narrative review brings together some of the key issues identified in the literature around the consumption of SSBs, including patterns of consumption, the general impact on human health and nutrition, specific effects on oral health and the oral microbiome, and strategies to address over-consumption. The range of long-term adverse effects on health is often misunderstood or unknown by the public. However, some strategies have succeeded in reducing the consumption of SSBs, including public health strategies and interventions and the imposition of taxes or levies, and this article makes recommendations for action.

Nutritional profile of sugar-sweetened beverages destined to the youngsters marketed in Brazil and Portugal

ABSTRACT Objective To analyze and compare the sugar content in sugar sweetened beverages in Brazil and Portugal, according to the Pan American Health Organization nutritional profile model. Methods One hundred six equivalent sugary beverages were selected in the markets of São Paulo, Brazil and Porto, Portugal. Nutritional information reported on the labels was reviewed, according to the Pan American Health Organization nutritional profile model, regarding the critical content of free sugars, salt, total saturated fats and trans fatty acids. Results The Brazilian nectars presented higher amounts of sugar and vitamin C compared to Portuguese nectars that contained more protein. The juices in Portugal contained a higher content of vitamin C and Portuguese dairy beverages had higher levels of protein and sodium, while the Brazilian ones had more total fats. According to the critical nutrients proposed by the Pan American Health Organization, Brazil had excess sodium in dairy beverages and soft drinks, while in Portugal excess sodium was found in nectars and dairy beverages. In both countries, excess free sugars were present in all beverages. Conclusion The amount of sugar in the beverages represents an important contribution of added sugar, especially in the Brazilian nectars. The identification of this component in sugary beverages is fundamental for the adoption of strategies of food education to control obesity.

The role of oral health care professionals in preventing and managing obesity: A systematic review of current practices and perceived barriers

INTRODUCTION

There is a growing interest to expand the role of oral health care professionals in obesity prevention and management. The aim of this systematic review was to synthesise the evidence on current practices of, and perceived barriers to, oral health care professionals' involvement in obesity screening and management.

METHODS

Key search strings were developed and used in seven databases from inception through February 6, 2019. Data were screened against inclusion criteria, independently extracted, and quality appraised by two reviewers based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses.

RESULTS

Ten studies were included in this review. The practices of oral health care professionals in relation to obesity assessment, counseling, and specialist referrals were found to be very limited. Oral health care professionals believed in their role to support patients for achieving weight-loss goals, however just over one-third were trained in anthropometry. Perceived barriers included lack of time, limited knowledge or training, patients' unwillingness to listen to oral health care professionals' advice, and lack of appropriate specialist referrals.

CONCLUSION

Oral health care professionals are well-positioned and supportive in undertaking healthy weight interventions in their clinical practice; however, their practices are limited due to barriers such as lack of time, limited training and lack of referrals.

The role of dental practitioners in addressing overweight and obesity among children: A scoping review of current interventions and strategies

INTRODUCTION

With the growing prevalence of childhood obesity worldwide, there is a need for interventions to identify and address overweight and obesity in childhood. Although guidelines recommend general practitioners routinely screen for overweight and obesity among children, research suggests this is often not done. To address this, dental practitioners may be able to play a role in identifying and addressing overweight and obesity among children.

METHODS

This review aimed to explore the evidence and efficacy of existing obesity and overweight interventions targeting children in the dental setting. A systematic search of nine electronic databases was conducted to identify relevant published and grey literature. This was expanded to also include strategies for promoting oral health in the dental setting.

RESULTS

A total of 11 records were included in this review, which focussed on the current role and effectiveness of dental practitioners in addressing obesity among children, and the available strategies and resources. Although there was a paucity of research on the training of dental practitioners in this area and their efficacy in identifying and addressing obesity among children, evidence suggests that parents found it acceptable for dental practitioners to promote healthy practices to children who experience overweight or obesity. This review also identified screening tools and strategies for identifying and addressing overweight and obesity among children in dental practice.

CONCLUSION

There is a clear role for dental practitioners in addressing overweight and obesity among children, however further research is required to identify the most effective interventions to implement in dental practice.

Healthy Futures: Engaging the oral health community in childhood obesity prevention - Conference summary and recommendations

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.