The British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD) is calling for a coordinated offensive to tackle both obesity and dental decay in children and young people. A new position statement from BSPD highlights the diet and lifestyle factors common to obesity and dental decay which are both alarmingly prevalent among under 16s.

The most recent (2013/14) National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) showed that 33% of 11-year-olds were overweight or obese and research shows that obese young people are more likely to have decay in their permanent teeth.

BSPD spokeswoman Claire Stevens said: ‘Poor nutrition poses a clear health risk to children and young people. We support all calls for clearer food labelling and our members wish to be part of a co-ordinated approach to raising awareness of the damaging impact of foods and drinks which are high in sugar or fat, or both, and low in vitamins’.

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The BSPD supports national healthy eating campaigns such as the change4life Sugar swaps and the BDA7#x0027;s Make a meal of it campaign, the Action on Sugar campaign and NHS Choices Eat well plate.

The BSPD's position paper can be found at http://ow.ly/Jz2Hd.