Corroboration of Obesity and its Complications with Oral Disorders in Children and Adolescents: A Literature Review

Abstract

Pediatric obesity is a major global concern. Obesity in childhood and adolescence is associated with both physiological and psychological comorbidities, which have been well described, and severe obesity is associated with a higher degree of risk. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized obesity as a predisposing factor to measure chronic diseases ranging from cardiovascular diseases to cancer. Once considered a problem only in wealthy countries, WHO estimates show that overweight and obesity are now dramatically on the rise in low and middle income countries. The disturbing sequelae of this increased trajectory of overweight populations are the parallel increases in chronic diseases that are co-morbidities of obesity. Primary health care providers, including dental professionals, are well-positioned to address this public health problem at the patient level. Dental professionals must be aware of the increasing numbers of the obese patients and of the significance of obesity as a multiple risk factor syndrome for oral and overall health. Dental professionals have a crucial role in the prevention and detection of many oral and systemic diseases because of their diagnostic and screening abilities as well as the frequency of patient visits. Ultimately, a health condition as prevalent and serious as obesity must be approached by a concerted and collaborative effort of many disciplines and organizations. The dental profession should include itself in this collaboration using the tools and education opportunities available. Although the connection between oral health and obesity is critical to understand, it should not be the sole motivating factor for taking action.