~ 215 ~ International Journal of Applied Dental Sciences 2019; 5(1): 215-218 ISSN Print: 2394-7489 ISSN Online: 2394-7497 IJADS 2019; 5(1): 215-218 © 2019 IJADS www.oraljournal.com Received: 01-11-2018 Accepted: 05-12-2018 Dr. Prabhati Gupta Registrar, Department of Periodontology, Indira Gandhi Govt. Dental College, Jammu, India Dr. Romesh Singh HOD, Department of Periodontology, Indira Gandhi Govt. Dental College, Jammu, India Correspondence Dr. Prabhati Gupta Registrar, Department of Periodontology, Indira Gandhi Govt. Dental College, Jammu, India Relationship between obesity and Periodontitis: A Cross-sectional study Dr. Prabhati Gupta and Dr. Romesh Singh Abstract Background: Obesity and periodontitis are considered as severe health problems worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between obesity and periodontitis. Materials and methods: One hundred and forty-one patients aged between 18-63 years, including 65 obese and 76 non-obese subjects were enrolled over a period of 6 months. The information on sociodemographic characteristics and dental habits were collected by a questionnaire. Body mass index and waist circumference were used as measures to assess obesity. Periodontal status of the subjects was recorded. Results: The prevalence of periodontitis in obese subjects (38.6%) was significantly higher than the non- obese subjects (12.4%). The mean values of periodontal parameters were significantly higher in obese subjects. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that age, routine of dental visit and obesity were significantly related to periodontitis. Conclusion: The prevalence of periodontitis is higher among obese subjects. Obesity could be a potential risk factor for periodontitis in all age groups. Keywords: Body mass index, obesity, periodontitis, risk factor 1. Introduction Obesity, one of the most significant health risks of modern society, is considered as a severe health problem worldwide. There is a concern for public health, as excess bodyweight is now the sixth important risk factor contributing to disease worldwide and increased level of obesity may result in a decline in life expectancy in the future [1] . Obesity is a complex and multi- factorial disease resulting from excessive storage of fat, occurs due to the interaction of social, behavioural, cultural, psychological, metabolic, and genetic factors among the population [2] Various health consequences associated with obesity are diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disease like coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease such as hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke, metabolic syndrome like insulin resistance, some cancers such as cancer of esophagus, thyroid, kidney, uterus, colon and breast, and psychosocial problems [3] . Obesity may be considered as a low-grade systemic inflammatory disease. Obese children and adults have elevated serum levels of C-reactive proteins, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α and leptin which are known as markers of inflammation and are closely associated with chronic inflammatory diseases [4] . Therefore, these findings indicate rationalized bases for association between obesity and periodontal disease, which is also an inflammatory disease resulting from complex interaction between pathogenic microbes and host immune response [5] . Investigation from the United States, using the large NHANES III database, supported association between body fat and periodontal disease [1] . Although some studies [6-8] have shown an association between obesity and periodontal disease in different populations, there have been only few studies documented in literature, in this part of northern India. Hence, an attempt was made to explore the relationship between obesity and periodontitis among the patients attending the outpatient department of Indira Gandhi Govt. Dental College in Jammu. Additionally this study evaluated the sociodemographic characteristics and dental habits in obese people and their influences on the presence of periodontitis.