Interventions Targeting Bottle and Formula Feeding in the Prevention and Treatment of Early Childhood Caries, Overweight and Obesity: An Integrative Review

Heilok Cheng, Rebecca Chen, Maxim Milosevic, Chris Rossiter, Amit Arora and Elizabeth Denney-Wilson
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Heilok Cheng: Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Rebecca Chen: The Westmead Applied Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
Maxim Milosevic: Sydney Dental Hospital and Oral Health Services, Sydney Local Health District, NSW Health, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia
Chris Rossiter: Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Amit Arora: Sydney Dental Hospital and Oral Health Services, Sydney Local Health District, NSW Health, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia
Elizabeth Denney-Wilson: Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 23, 1-27

Abstract: Overweight, obesity and early childhood caries (ECC) are preventable conditions affecting infants and young children, with increased prevalence in those formula-fed. Previous research has focused on distinct outcomes for oral health and healthy weight gain. However, the aetiology may be linked through overlapping obesogenic and cariogenic feeding behaviours, such as increased sugar exposure through bottle propping and overfeeding. Best-practice bottle feeding and transition to cup use may concurrently reduce overweight, obesity and ECC. This integrative review aimed to identify interventions supporting best-practice formula feeding or bottle cessation and examine the intervention effects on feeding, oral health and weight outcomes. The reviewers searched nine databases and found 27 studies that met the predetermined inclusion criteria. Eighteen studies focused on populations vulnerable to ECC or unhealthy weight gain. All studies focused on carer education; however, only 10 studies utilised behaviour change techniques or theories addressing antecedents to obesogenic or cariogenic behaviours. The outcomes varied: 16 studies reported mixed outcomes, and eight reported worsened post-intervention outcomes. While some studies reported improvements, these were not maintained long-term. Many study designs were at risk of bias. Effective intervention strategies for preventing ECC and child obesity require the holistic use of interdisciplinary approaches, consumer co-design and the use of behavioural change theory.

Keywords: dental caries; overweight; obesity; bottle feeding; infant formula; infant health; diet (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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