The Relationship Between Eating Habits and Periodontal Condition in University Students
A Journal of Periodontology Study
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Being overweight is a risk factor for gum disease. Unhealthy eating habits, which can induce overweight, may be involved in the development of periodontitis in young people. The following study aimed to examine the relationships among overweight, eating habits, and the periodontal condition in Japanese university students.
A cross-sectional study was conducted of 801 university students (413 males and 388 females; age range: 18 to 25 years). Patient were classified as underweight, normal weight and overweight based on their body mass indexes. Students completed a questionaire including items related to eating habits and underwent oral health exams. Patients with a community periodontal index (CPI) of 0 to 2 were considered controls and patients with a CPI greater than or equal to 2 were considered to have periodontal disease.
The prevelance of underweight, normal weight, and overweight patients was 21%, 62%, and 17% respectively. In overweight patients, the periodontal risk was increased by the frequent consumption of fatty foods and reduced by the frequent consumption of vegetables. In underweight individuals and normal-weight groups, eating habits did not differ significantly according to the presence of periodontitis.
The study concluded that in overweight students, the frequent consumption of fatty foods and infrequent consumption of vegetables were associated with an increased risk of gum disease. In underweight and normal weight individuals, eating habits had little effect on the periodontal condition.
Source: J Periodontal, December 2011, Tomofuji, Furata, Ekuni, et al.