Teeth and heavyset kids: Intervention similarities between childhood obesity and oral health interventions within Native American societies

• Main Authors: Haring, Rodney C., Skye, Warren Jr, Battleson, Brenda L., Brings-Him-Back-Janis, Maxine, Teufel-Shone, Nicolette
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Utah State University 2014
• Subjects: obesity; dental health; oral health; childhood; youth; pediatric; intervention; Native American; American Indian; First Nations; Aboriginal; systematic review; Hampton; Henson; Indian; Nash; Waterman
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10477/60689

Dental related disease is an increasing concern among minority and vulnerable populations and as a result a growing number of oral health interventions are emerging for ethnic minority populations, including Indigenous, Native American, and First Nations Peoples (Nash & Nagel, 2005). Childhood obesity is a growing concern in the U.S. and across the world. Heavyset youth are at increased risk for chronic health problems such as type 2 diabetes and for psychological problems associated with reduced social acceptance within their respective communities (Henson, 2005). Literature shows the co-prevalence and conceptual modeling of obesity and oral health interventions, yet very few have been implemented with Native American societies. Therefore, few investigations show potential. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify commonalities between obesity prevention and oral health interventions in Native American youth populations. Support: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, New Connections Program Author Note The authors are grateful for assistance from the Mayo Clinic (Hampton Faculty Fellow Program, Spirit of EAGLES, and Native Circles Program); the Office of Minority Health Resource Center, US Department of Health and Human Services; Alexis Alfaso, MLS (literature search assistance); the University of Arizona, Native American Research and Training Center; and to Carson Waterman (Seneca Nation), the artist.