Carer perspectives on overweight, obesity and dental caries in early childhood: findings from a systematic qualitative review.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Formula and bottle feeding behaviours can increase obesity and tooth decay (early childhood caries, ECC) in early childhood, through non-responsive feeding and prolonged exposure to sugar. Parents' beliefs can be barriers to behaviour change for obesity and ECC prevention. Understanding these beliefs towards children's teeth and weight can address parents' priorities and develop prevention messages. This qualitative systematic review (PROSPERO registration #CRD42022348783) aimed to identify parent or carer perspectives on obesity and ECC in children aged ≤6 years.

Methods

Database searching of CINAHL, Medline and EMBASE, with hand searching, was undertaken. Included papers were qualitative research publications, focused on parent or carer beliefs and attitudes t

SUBMITTER: Cheng H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12213562 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature