Craniofacial development in obese adolescents

The purpose of this study was to investigate craniofacial morphology in obese adolescents and to compare the morphological data with those of normal adolescents. The study was based on measurements of lateral cephalometric roentgenograms of adolescents who had been diagnosed as obese. Linear and angular measurements were obtained from cephalometric tracings of 27 females (mean age 15.6 +/- 0.83 years) and 23 males (mean age 13.9 +/- 0.98 years). The data were compared with corresponding measurements of gender and age matched controls. The results showed that both males and females in the obesity group exhibited significantly larger mandibular and maxillary dimensions than the controls. On average, mandibular length (Cd-Pgn) was 10 mm greater in males and 8 mm greater in females. Maxillary length (Pm-A) was 3.5 mm greater in males and 3 mm greater in females. When considering vertical dimensions, lower anterior (Ans-Gn) and posterior (S-Go) face height were 4 and 5 mm greater in the obese males, respectively, while in the obese females both these distances were 4 mm greater compared with the controls. Both maxillary (SNA) and mandibular (SNB, SNPg) prognathism were more pronounced in the obesity group than in the control group. This also influenced the average soft tissue profile, which was less convex in the obesity groups. The mandibular plane angle (ML/SN) was smaller in the obesity group than in the control group. Craniofacial morphology differs between obese and normal adolescents. In general, obesity was associated with bimaxillary prognathism and relatively greater facial measurements.