Obesity is a multifaceted subject. It has increased at an alarming rate in recent years. Being overweight increases health and social problems, which may affect dental services and dental management. A review of the literature on obesity and periodontal disease suggested that they both confound each other, and obesity itself has been recognized as a major risk factor for periodontal disease. It has been found that adverse effects of obesity on periodontium may be mediated through pro-inflammation cytokines and various other bioactive substances. This article focuses on the possible role of obesity as a potential contributor to periodontal disease and vice-versa. The outcome of these associations can be used for various diagnostic and treatment planning purposes. Introduction The global obesity epidemic has been described by the world health organization (2000) as the most neglected public health problem that threatens to overwhelm both more and less developed countries (1). The etiology of obesity represents a complex interaction of genetics, diet, metabolism and physical activity levels. In addition to consumption of high energy food, physical activity is a key factor in the energy balance equation. Obesity is a multisystem condition and a significant contributor to the development of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, arteriosclerosis and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Besides these risk factors, obesity has also been suggested to be a risk factor for periodontitis, which is a disease of the supporting structures of teeth resulting from the interaction between pathogenic bacteria and the host immune response (5). Definition Of Obesity Obesity occurs when the size and number of fat cells in a person's body increase. A normal person has 30-35 billion fat cells. When a person gains weight, these fat cells first increase in size and later in number. The WHO defines obesity as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health and classifies obesity as a chronic disease (1). According to the NIHS, a person is considered obese if the BMI of the person is above 30. Prevalence Of Obesity Being overweight and obesity are 2 major health hazards in today’s world: according to the WHO, one billion people were overweight in 2005, and the number will be 1.5 billion by the year 2015. The prevalence of obese and overweight people has doubled in number between 1960-1990. In 2004, approximately 34.1% of the U.S. population was overweight, and about 32.2% obese. In 2008, 32% of women and 42% men above the age of 16 were obese in the U.K. The prevalence of periodontal disease is 76% higher among young obese individuals aged 18-34 years than in normal weight individuals, (7) and being overweight is associated with an increased risk of periodontitis among those aged 17-21 years (8). Evaluation of obesityObesity is usually evaluated by calculating Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-hip ratio and fat percentage. Other methods of measuring obesity include the use of ultrasound, densitometry or imaging procedures (Computed Tomography, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, but these methods vary in reliability and require expensive equipment and staff training (1).Body Mass Index: It is also known as the Quetelet index, and is the ratio of body weight (in kg) to height (in meters) squared. It is easy to calculate and is considered more appropriate than simple weighing (1).
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