Association between Body Mass Index and Severity of Periodontal Disease among Adult South Indian Population: A Cross-sectional Study.

Background: Periodontal disease is one of the top six chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and is recognized as a severe global public health problem. This study aimed to assess the association between various levels of body mass index (BMI) and periodontal disease severity in Indian adults. Material and Methods: The study was designed as a hospital-based cross-sectional study involving 212 participants aged between 18 and 65. A questionnaire assessed by an investigator was used to assess oral health-associated risky behavior and demographical factors. Participants were also assessed using full-mouth clinical periodontal and anthropometric measurements. The mean number of sites with pocket probing depth (PPD) ≥4 mm and the presence of periodontal disease were used as outcome measures. Bivariate analysis and multiple logistic regressions were performed. Results: The overall proportion of participants with periodontal disease was 50%, that is, sites with PPD ≥4 mm (n = 106). Multivariate analysis showed that BMI (odds ratio (OR) = 0.77, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.43, 1.37) was not associated with periodontal disease, but smoking (OR = 3.90, 95% CI: 1.63, 5.89), alcohol consumption (OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 0.72, 2.13), age (OR = 2.51, 95% CI: 1.08, 5.84), and diabetic mellitus (OR = 1.69, 95% CI: 0.92, 3) were positively associated with periodontal disease. Conclusion: A positive association was found between smoking, alcohol consumption, age, gender, history of diabetic mellitus, and periodontal disease. No significant association exists between obesity and periodontal disease in South Indian adults.