Visceral fat area-defined obesity and periodontitis among Koreans

Aim: Although the association of periodontitis with body mass index (BMI)-defined obesity has been studied, it remains controversial. Hence, this study aims to determine whether the obesity is associated with periodontitis among Koreans and to determine the most significant indicator of the obesity on the link. Materials and Methods: From the Sihwa–Banwol Environmental Health Cohort, 1046 subjects 15 years of age or older were cross-sectionally surveyed. All participants underwent periodontal and medical health examinations. Age, gender, monthly family income, smoking, drinking, frequency of daily teeth brushing and physical activity were evaluated through interviews. The community periodontal index (CPI) was used to assess periodontitis. BMI, waist circumference (WC), waist hip ratio and visceral fat area (VFA) were used to assess obesity. Multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses were applied. Results: BMI, WC and VFA had a dose–effect relationship with the number of sextants with periodontitis. Although subgroup analysis revealed several significant associations between obesity and periodontitis (CPI 3–4), the greatest association between VFA and periodontitis was found in males, age 45–54 (odds ratio=3.30; 95% confidence interval: 1.53–7.09). Conclusions: Obesity was associated with periodontitis. VFA was the most suitable indicator of obesity in relation to periodontitis. Obesity may be a substantial risk factor for periodontitis.This study was supported by a research grant from The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Family, Seoul, Korea (850-2006003), and a grant from The Ministry of Environment, Seoul, Korea (900-20060032)