Kids oral health improves as belts tighten
Researchers have found that New Hampshire has protected its kids’ teeth from unhealthy foods but not their waistlines.
According to a survey of 3,000 third-grade children from 81 schools across the state, six per cent less children had tooth decay than last year but one third of the were over weight and 18 per cent were clinically obese.
The survey, which studied children during the 2008-9 school year, found that there was a link between weight, oral health problems and income.
It discovered that pupils that participated in free or reduced price meal programs were more likely to be obese or have oral health issues.
Dr Jose Montero, director of public health, attributed the improvements in oral health standards to efforts to get more children enrolled in Medicaid and school dental-care and prevention programs.
A state panel, which studies childhood obesity and prevention, recently recommended that schools should serve single-portion, high-nutrient content foods, create fitness reports on children and buy purchase food supplies from nearby farms.
Dr Montero said that parents also had to double their efforts to ensure their children were eating healthily at home and at school.
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