caries and overweight

PTA, caries and overweight: the finding of the DREES


A study by the Ministry of Social Affairs, Labor and Solidarity shows that children enrolled in PTA are more likely to have tooth decay and problems of overweight

A study conducted by the DREES (Research studies of the evaluation and statistics) shows how schooling in PTA (priority education area) is a variable that affects the frequency of dental problems and weight among children. The proportion of students with at least two untreated teeth is on average much higher in large sections of kindergartens located in PTA (19%) than elsewhere (8%). Similarly, 17.3% of students are enrolled in PTA at overweight, against 13.9% elsewhere. However, they are a little more often than other vaccinated. This study builds on the triennial surveys conducted in schools with 30 000 students aged 5 to 6 years in 1999-2000, however, concedes that "it should probably rely on more specific economic indicators" .

In addition, the study highlights a number of regional disparities: the status of oral health of children is generally worse in northern France and in French overseas departments, the eye and the children wearing glasses are much less important in the south-east (about 9% of children wearing glasses in Corsica and Limousin against 17% in Britain and 19% in the Poitou-Charentes) and children of Ile-de - France have the best coverage. In addition, overweight and obesity are more frequently the children of southern regions of France and Alsace: the proportion of obese children may vary from simple to double, from 11% in the Pays de la Loire 22% in Corsica.

SECOND STUDY IN 2004-2005

Another survey, this time with students in CM2 will follow, five years later, the evolution of children of the same generation as those who were the subject of an investigation section large kindergarten during the year 1999-2000, by paying greater attention to "socio-economic disparities with information concerning the situation of parents vis-à-vis employment, training, and how the family is" .