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Abstract

Background: Periodontitis is a prevalent chronic inflammatory disease influenced by bacterial pathogens and modulated by the host’s immune response. Obesity, a global public health concern, is characterized by a chronic low-grade inflammatory state and has been implicated as a risk factor for several systemic diseases, including periodontitis. This study investigates the association between obesity and chronic periodontitis in an adult population.
Materials and Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted involving 459 patients aged 30–55 years. Participants were categorized into two groups based on Body Mass Index (BMI): Group A (BMI <24 kg/m²) and Group B (BMI ≥24 kg/m²). Periodontal health was assessed using Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI), Probing Pocket Depth (PPD), Clinical Attachment Level (CAL), and Community Periodontal Index for Treatment Needs (CPITN). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v21.0, with significance set at p<0.05.
Results: No significant difference was observed in GBI between the two BMI groups (p=0.934), indicating that gingival bleeding was not influenced by BMI. However, Group B (overweight/obese) demonstrated significantly higher mean values for PPD (p=0.021), CAL (p=0.014), and CPITN (p=0.001) compared to Group A, suggesting worse periodontal health and greater treatment needs among individuals with higher BMI. Correlation analysis revealed a weak but statistically significant association between age and CAL in Group B (r=0.140, p=0.044), while other periodontal parameters showed no significant correlation with age.
Conclusion: The findings indicate a significant association between obesity and increased severity of chronic periodontitis, as evidenced by higher probing pocket depth, clinical attachment loss, and treatment needs in obese individuals. These results underscore the importance of considering obesity as a modifiable risk factor in periodontal disease management and prevention strategies.