Exploring 12-Year trends in childhood obesity prevalence for the Republic of Ireland - a national study using survey data from 2002 and 2014.

The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children may have reached a plateau in some developed countries, including Ireland. The aim of this study was to examine 12-year trends in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among primary-school-aged children in the Republic of Ireland between 2002 and 2014. Two large-scale oral health cross-sectional surveys of primary-school-aged children aged 4-13 years were conducted 12 years apart in 2002 (n=14,055; response rate=68%) and 2014 (n=5,223; response rate=67%).

The effect of mobile personalised texting versus non-personalised texting on the caries risk of underprivileged adults: a randomised control trial.

Background: In the Republic of Ireland (RoI), fluoridation has been effective and efficient for caries prevention at population level, regardless of income status; however, at individual level it still has limitations. This study aimed to compare personalised versus non-personalised text messaging on 'chance of avoiding new cavities' with the Cariogram, a computer-based caries risk assessment (CRA) model, in an economically disadvantaged adult population in the RoI.

Methods: The intervention was via a CRA summary letter plus 24 weekly personalised mobile-phone short text messages (text messages) based on the individual's CRA, compared with a non-personalised approach via a non-personalised letter and a predetermined, fixed set of 24 weekly text messages.

Knowledge of caries risk factors/indicators among Japanese and Irish adult patients with different socio-economic profiles: a cross-sectional study.

Background: A previous study has shown deficient knowledge of caries risk factors/indicators in a Japanese adult population regarded to have a high interest in preventive dentistry. No prior research has investigated caries risk knowledge in an Irish adult population. We hypothesise there may be unexpected differences or similarities in knowledge across countries with similar levels of economic development when comparing groups with different socio-economic and cultural profiles.

Prevalence of overweight and obesity on the island of Ireland: results from the North South Survey of Children's Height, Weight and Body Mass Index, 2002.

Background: Childhood obesity is emerging as a major public health problem in developed and developing countries worldwide. The aim of this survey was to establish baseline data on the prevalence and correlates of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in the Republic of Ireland (RoI) and Northern Ireland (NI).

Methods: The heights and weights of 19,617 school-going children and adolescents aged between 4 and 16 years in NI and RoI were measured using standardised and calibrated scales and measures.