The Association between Periodontal Disease and Obesity among Middle-aged Adults Periodontitis and Obesity

Abstract

Objective: Obesity is characterized by the abnormal or excessive deposition of fat in the adipose tissue. Besides being a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, certain cancers and type II diabetes, obesity has been suggested to be a risk factor for periodontitis. A number of epidemiological studies have studied the association between obesity and periodontitis. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between periodontitis and overweight/ obesity in subjects aged 28-55 years. Study design: A representative sample of the population, which was enrolled in a study, was examined. A total of 300 chronic periodontitis subjects had a clinical periodontal examination and their weight and height were recorded. Periodontal parameters were: probing pocket depth, clinical attachment level, bleeding on probing, gingival inflammation and presence of visible plaque. In the control group there were 100 periodontal healthy subjects. Moderate periodontitis was identified when teeth had attachment loss of <6 mm and a pocket depth<5 mm, and severe periodontitis with attachment loss ≥ 6 mm and pocket depth ≥ 5 mm. Body weight was measured using body mass index. Results: Researchers have found a significant association between obesity and prevalence of periodontal disease, among the population aged 28-55. Obesity was associated with periodontitis after adjustment for confounders. Greatest association was found between BMI and severe periodontitis measured by periodontal parameters. Conclusion: The data suggest that obesity is associated with periodontitis. Obese individuals might be at risk for initiation and progression of periodontitis.