Correlation of Body Mass Index With Severity of Periodontitis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the relationship between body mass index (BMI) classification and the severity of periodontitis, recognizing that both obesity and periodontitis involve chronic inflammatory processes, which may exacerbate one another. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a convenience sample of 162 consecutive outpatients who reported to the Department of Periodontics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals in Chennai from March 2023 to September 2023. Age, gender, Russell's periodontal index, and BMI were recorded. The association between age, gender, BMI, and severity of periodontitis was analyzed using linear-by-linear χ2 association. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the odds ratio (OR) of age, gender, and BMI with the severity of periodontitis. Results: A statistically significant association was observed between age, gender, BMI, and the severity of periodontitis (p < 0.05). Participants aged 35-60 years had an OR of 1.305 for severe periodontitis (95% CI: 0.754–1.561). Males exhibited a higher risk of severe periodontitis (OR: 1.171; 95% CI: 0.894–2.485). Obese participants showed an OR of 1.417 for severe periodontitis compared to overweight participants (OR: 0.683; 95% CI: 0.817–1.629). Conclusions: Severe periodontitis was more prevalent among obese individuals, followed by overweight individuals. Obesity may be considered a potential risk indicator for the development and progression of periodontitis.