As the obesity crisis worsens, what does this mean for the nation’s oral health?
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 12th August 2022
It’s no overstatement to say that the UK is experiencing an ongoing obesity crisis. In fact, NHS figures state that rates of obesity have tripled across the globe since 1975, and that the UK ranks among the worst countries in Europe for obesity in the general population.[i]
But why are we experiencing an obesity epidemic and how is this impacting oral health?
A closer look at the UK obesity crisis
One of the core reasons that the obesity crisis is such a concern in the UK is that it’s a health problem affecting people of all ages and locations across the country. Nearly two thirds of UK adults are classified as obese,[ii] and figures among children are also pretty shocking – with government figures stating that 14.4% of reception-aged children (4-5) are obese.[iii]
These figures are likely to have only gotten worse in recent times, especially as the pandemic has had a well-documented impact on the weight of the nation. Figures in this early post-pandemic era show that 40% of adults gained weight during this time, with the average weight gain coming in at half a stone.[iv]
Influences behind obesity
Although a multi-faceted issue that is impossible to link to just one origin, there are a few key factors that have been singled out as leading causes of obesity in the UK. The first of these is our diet. Research into our eating habits have discovered that only one in three people in the UK have a healthy diet, meaning that the vast majority of us are consuming more fat, sugar and processed food than recommended on a daily basis.[v]
What we need to remember is that this is a difficult problem to solve that also has many factors affecting it. Eating a healthier diet isn’t necessarily just a case of swapping out unhealthy foods and nourishing ourselves on fruit and vegetables – for many people who are already struggling with the cost-of-living-crisis, cheaper food will always take precedent, meaning that processed, unhealthy food is likely to remain the popular choice.
We also need to factor in the time that people need to make healthier decisions. After a long day at work or between working multiple jobs, people are less likely to have the energy to create a nutritional meal for themselves. The reason that fast food is so popular is that it’s convenient and cheap – perhaps why, as a nation, it’s estimated that we consume over 100 million takeaways and fast-food meals a week.[vi]
Our inactivity as a country and typically sedentary work lives are also to blame. On average, UK adults spend only 1 hour 30 minutes exercising per week. A quarter of Brits are classed as physically inactive (getting less than 30 minutes of moderate exercise per week), while a whopping 14% admit they don’t exercise at all.[vii] Compounding this, many people work in offices, with almost half admitting that they don’t leave their desks for periods of at least six hours and four-fifths are sedentary for the equivalent of 67 days a year.[viii]
A complete health problem
You’re probably already aware that obesity has been linked to a number of adverse health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, breast and bowel cancer and increased risk of stroke.[ix]
It has also been tied to certain oral health complications, including an enhanced risk of periodontitis. As I was browsing recent scientific articles, I came across this interesting piece that explained why obesity and periodontitis often go hand in hand. According to a study performed by the Journal of Dental Research, obesity raises the number of cells called myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC). These cells are produced by the body as an immune response to inflammation, and can turn into a number of different cell types including osteoclasts – those responsible for breaking down bone. These may then go on to attack the bone holding the dentition in place, exacerbating periodontitis and eventually leading to tooth loss.[x]
So, what does this mean for dental professionals and our role in protecting the oral health of our patients? It’s an idea I’ve touched on before, but I believe that as a more holistic approach to healthcare becomes more widely recognised, this is something that dentists should be embracing in practice. We’re already well versed in oral health matters, but could we also be trained to dispense dietary advice and other useful information? If we could cut the rates of obesity, it’s likely that periodontitis rates would fall too, leading to a healthier, happier society.
At this point it’s all conjecture – though we can dispense some good advice such as avoiding sugary drinks and snacks – but imagine the difference that tailored dietary advice could achieve! Dentistry is changing. Healthcare is changing. Evolving with the times could be the key to tackle current problems like obesity – it’s just whether we are given the opportunity to do so.
For further information please call EndoCare on 020 7224 0999
Or visit www.endocare.co.uk
EndoCare, led by Dr Michael Sultan, is one of the UK’s most trusted Specialist Endodontist practices. Through the use of the latest technologies and techniques, the highly-trained team can offer exceptional standards of care – always putting the patient first. What’s more, EndoCare is a dependable referral centre, to which dentists from across the country send their patients for the best in specialist endodontic treatment.
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[i] NHS. Obesity. Link: https://www.longtermplan.nhs.uk/online-version/chapter-2-more-nhs-action-on-prevention-and-health-inequalities/obesity/ [Last accessed May 22].
[ii] NHS. Obesity. Link: https://www.longtermplan.nhs.uk/online-version/chapter-2-more-nhs-action-on-prevention-and-health-inequalities/obesity/ [Last accessed May 22].
[iii] UK Parliament. House of Commons Library. Obesity Statistics. Link: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn03336/#:~:text=Childhood%20obesity%20in%20England,the%20National%20Child%20Measurement%20Programme. [Last accessed May 22].
[iv] BBC News. Lockdown Weight Gain Averaging Half A Stone – Survey. Link:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-57968651 [Last accessed May 22].
[v] BBC. Why Are Brits The Fattest People In Europe? Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/articles/britain_diet [Last accessed May 22].
[vi] Inews. Fast food nation: UK consumes more than 100 million takeaways and ready meals a week. Link: https://inews.co.uk/news/health/cancer-research-uk-takeaways-ready-meals-obesity-rates-50485 [Last accessed May 22].
[vii] UK Active. UK adults spend 12 hours a week watching on-demand TV but only 90 minutes exercising. Link: https://www.ukactive.com/news/uk-adults-spend-12-hours-a-week-watching-on-demand-tv-but-only-90-minutes-exercising/#:~:text=UK%20adults%20spend%20an%20average,whole%20days)%20of%20physical%20activity. [Last accessed May 22].
[viii] Employee Benefits. Four-fifths of UK office workers are sedentary for an average of 67 days a year. Link: https://employeebenefits.co.uk/office-workers-sendentary-67-days/#:~:text=The%20survey%20of%201%2C250%20office,between%20four%20to%20six%20hours. [Last accessed May 22].
[ix] NHS. Obesity. Link: https://www.longtermplan.nhs.uk/online-version/chapter-2-more-nhs-action-on-prevention-and-health-inequalities/obesity/ [Last accessed May 22].
[x] Science Daily. Obesity raises the risk of gum disease by inflating growth of bone-destroying cells. Link: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/11/211112083106.htm [Last accessed May 22].
