Association Between Obesity and Demographic/Oral Factors in South Brazil.

Objectives: This study aimed to verify the association between obesity and different sociodemographic, medical, dental and behavioral factors in a representative sample of adults in the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Methods: This is as an epidemiological cross-sectional study that evaluated 614 subjects with at least 18 years old. Only subjects with the minimum of four teeth and those who did not use fixed orthodontic appliances were included. Participants were identified through a multi-stage probability sampling, considering the distribution according to gender and age. Ten census sectors were visited. A structured interview was conducted by trained researchers to collect information about gender, age, behavioral habits and systemic impaired conditions. A trained and calibrated examiner performed the Plaque Visible Index, Löe-Sillness Gingival Index modified by Löe and calculus. Additionally, weight, height and body fat percentage, obtained through a portable electrical microcurrent, were collected. Multivariate Poisson regression was used to evaluate the association between obesity and the sociodemographic, medical, dental and behavioral factors. Prevalence ratios and 95% Confidence Intervales were calculated.
Results: Obesity, defined as body mass index ≥30kg/m², was found in 33.89% of the examined subjects. In the multivariable analysis, females (1.34; 1.07 – 1.68), individuals with self-reported hypertension (1.98; 1.16 – 2.76), never smokers (1.66; 1.21 – 2.28), former smokers (1.87; 1.36 – 2.36) with higher visible plaque percentage (2.60; 1.09 – 6.24), and higher number of teeth (1.02; 1.00 – 1.04) were significantly associated with obesity when compared to non-obese subjects.
Conclusions: It was concluded that the occurrence of obesity was high and that females, never/former smokers and with larger plaque percentages presented association with obesity. No statistically significant association was established between the occurrence of gingivitis and obesity.