title: Visceral fat area-defined obesity and periodontitis among Koreans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although the association of periodontitis with body mass index (BMI)-defined obesity has been studied, it remains controversial. Hence, this study aims to determine whether the obesity is associated with periodontitis among Koreans and to determine the most significant indicator of the obesity on the link.
  
  
  METHODS
  From the Sihwa-Banwol Environmental Health Cohort, 1046 subjects 15 years of age or older were cross-sectionally surveyed. All participants underwent periodontal and medical health examinations. Age, gender, monthly family income, smoking, drinking, frequency of daily teeth brushing and physical activity were evaluated through interviews. The community periodontal index (CPI) was used to assess periodontitis. BMI, waist circumference (WC), waist hip ratio and visceral fat area (VFA) were used to assess obesity. Multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses were applied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BMI, WC and VFA had a dose-effect relationship with the number of sextants with periodontitis. Although subgroup analysis revealed several significant associations between obesity and periodontitis (CPI 3-4), the greatest association between VFA and periodontitis was found in males, age 45-54 (odds ratio=3.30; 95% confidence interval: 1.53-7.09).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Obesity was associated with periodontitis. VFA was the most suitable indicator of obesity in relation to periodontitis. Obesity may be a substantial risk factor for periodontitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Dong-Hun
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Sin-Ye
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Bo-Cheng
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Do-Myung
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Paek
authors.forename: Hyun-Duck
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat; D007723:Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D055105:Waist Circumference; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio; D055815:Young Adult