Methods: This ecological study used data from the 2009 National Child Measurement Programme (N=2427), the 2009 NHS Oral Health Survey (N=1425) and the Local Authority Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) 2010 scores. The spatial unit of analysis was the Lower Super Output Area. The association of deprivation with adiposity and dental caries was determined using ANCOVA and Poisson regression, respectively. In order to determine the spatial distribution of overweight and obesity and of dental caries among children, R software was utilised. The Moran’s I statistic was used as a measure of the overall clustering. Spatial clusters were identified using LISA and the extent of spatial autocorrelation was assessed using the variogram of the Poisson model’s residuals.
Results: Overall, there were 248 (10.2%) obese children and 357 (14.7%) overweight children; furthermore, 89 (6.2%) children had high dental caries experience. Although IMD was not associated with body mass index z-scores, it was found to be significantly associated with the children’s dental caries experience (p<0.001). Our findings also revealed significant geographical variation in childhood overweight/obesity as well as dental caries rates. Localised ‘hotspots’ of both overweight/obesity and dental caries were identified in Plymouth’s South East locality. Spatial clustering of overweight/obesity and caries were found to be statistically significant, but the pattern of clusters was different for the two conditions.
Conclusions: Our results identified childhood adiposity and dental caries clusters and underline the importance of geographically focused prevention strategies. Taking into consideration the distribution of dental caries among children in Plymouth, intervention priorities should be given in areas with the highest deprivation levels.