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08:47
Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Oral health and obesity indicators
Anna-Lena Östberg1, Calle Bengtsson, Lauren Lissner
1Dept of Behavioral and Community Dentistry, Institute of Odontology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden. anna-lena.ostberg@vgregion.se
BMC Oral Health
|November 22, 2012
Summary
Oral health issues like fewer teeth are linked to obesity (high body mass index, large waist circumference). Regular dental visits may mitigate obesity risks, highlighting the importance of oral health for overall well-being.
Area of Science:
- Oral Health
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Investigated associations between oral health and obesity in western Sweden.
- Examined the influence of socio-economic factors, lifestyle, dental anxiety, and co-morbidity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the relationship between oral health variables and total and central adiposity.
- To assess the impact of socio-economic and lifestyle factors on this relationship.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a randomized sample (n=999) from the Prospective Population Study of Women in Gothenburg.
- Included clinical and radiographic examinations, and self-administered questionnaires.
- Defined obesity using body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR), and waist circumference; analyzed associations using logistic regression.
Main Results:
- Found significant associations between oral health indicators (e.g., fewer teeth, xerostomia, dental visiting habits) and both total and central adiposity.
- A low number of teeth (<20) was associated with increased odds of obesity (BMI, WHR, waist circumference).
- Irregular dental visits correlated with higher risks of obesity, particularly with BMI and waist circumference measures.
Conclusions:
- Established a link between oral health status and obesity.
- Emphasized the need for careful selection of obesity measures in oral health research.
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