Association of obesity and weight gain with alveolar bone loss: Results of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 study

Abstract

AbstractAimTo investigate whether long‐term obesity, long‐term central obesity and weight gain are associated with alveolar bone loss.Materials and MethodsA sub‐population (n = 1318) of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 was categorized based on body mass index (BMI: normal weight, overweight and obesity) and waist circumference (WC: no central obesity, central obesity) at ages 31 and 46. These categories were combined to define whether the participants stayed in the same categories or passed on to a higher category (weight gain). Alveolar bone level (BL) data were collected at age 46.ResultsThe associations of long‐term obesity and weight gain with BL ≥ 5 mm were stronger in smokers than in the total population and in never smokers. Males who passed on to higher BMI and WC categories showed a higher likelihood for BL ≥ 5 mm (range in relative risks [RRs] 1.3–2.2) than males who stayed in the same categories (range in RRs 0.7–1.1). The associations with BL ≥ 5 mm were weak or non‐existent in females.ConclusionsThe relation between obesity and periodontal diseases seems more complex than previously presumed. The role of gender and smoking should be taken into account in future studies.