The impact of body mass index on periodontitis: a cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Background: Obesity is a significant public health concern linked to various health complications, including periodontitis. This study uniquely integrates multiple obesity indicators (body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)) alongside clinical periodontal parameters and considers sociodemographic factors to provide a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between obesity and periodontitis.

Objectives: To determine the association between BMI, WC, and WHR with periodontal clinical parameters, and to explore the role of sociodemographic and behavioral factors.

Design: Transversal study.

Methods: A total of 1000 adults (579 males and 421 females) with ⩾15 teeth were enrolled using systematic random sampling. Sociodemographic variables (age, sex, marital status, income, education level), behavioral factors (brushing frequency, smoking status), and anthropometric measurements (BMI, BP, WHR) were considered. Clinical periodontal parameters included probing pocket depth (PPD), bleeding on probing, clinical attachment loss (CAL), plaque index, and gingival index. Associations were assessed using multivariate regression models adjusted for age, sex, education, income, and oral hygiene habits.

Results: The study population comprised 579 males and 421 females, predominantly aged 19-30 years. BMI classifications were 46.2% normal, 30.5% overweight, and 4.5% obese. Elevated BMI and WC were significantly associated with increased PPD and CAL (p < 0.001*). In univariate analysis, overweight (odds ratio (OR) = 2.28, p < 0.001*) and obesity (OR = 6.46, p < 0.001*) were significantly associated with periodontitis. In multivariate analysis, obesity remained significantly associated with periodontitis (adjusted OR = 3.42, p < 0.01*), as did WC (adjusted OR = 1.84, p < 0.01*). The WHR was associated with periodontitis in univariate but not in multivariate analysis.

Conclusion: Obesity, as measured by BMI and central adiposity indicators, is independently positively associated with greater periodontitis severity. The findings highlight the importance of assessing obesity in estimating periodontal risk and structuring targeted interventions that consider both metabolic status and sociodemographic factors to optimize periodontal health benefits.