The Oral Health Foundation has commended the parliamentary discussion addressing the critical impact of food and diet on obesity.

The organisation welcomed the opportunity to emphasise how nutrition influences weight and oral health - a vital yet often overlooked component of overall wellbeing.

Poor dietary habits and the proliferation of ultra-processed, high-sugar foods are key contributors not just to obesity but to the rising prevalence of tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health problems. Sugary and acidic diets are the primary cause of tooth decay, which remains the most common chronic disease in children and adults in the UK. In some cases, these conditions lead to pain, infection, and eventually tooth loss, significantly impacting the quality of life.

Key points raised in the debate - such as the accessibility of healthy foods, the promotion of nutritious school meals, and clear labelling - are directly relevant to reducing the burden of oral diseases.

The Oral Health Foundation said the inequality in access to affordable, healthy food disproportionately affects low-income communities, exacerbating both obesity and oral health disparities.

The organisation has said it supports measures to make nutritious foods more accessible and affordable, including reformulation and taxation on unhealthy foods (including fast food), mandatory food labelling, and restrictions on advertising and price promotions for high-sugar and ultra-processed products. It has said these steps are crucial to fostering healthier eating habits across all age groups.

Educating children

The foundation has called for early intervention. According to the charity, good dietary habits established during pregnancy and early childhood play a pivotal role in preventing health issues, including oral diseases, later in life. Initiatives like free school meals and breakfast clubs, when focused on providing fresh, low-sugar options, are excellent opportunities to instil these habits in children.

Policymakers have been urged by the Oral Health Foundation to prioritise education about the relationship between diet and oral health alongside the broader health impacts of obesity.

According to the organisation, awareness campaigns, school-based education, and improved food standards can empower individuals to make better dietary choices and reduce the burden on the healthcare system.

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