Study on the relationship between oral hygiene status and obesity in adolescents

Objective To investigate the status of oral hygiene and obesity prevalence and their relationship in college students. Methods Census method was used and 2 489 adolescents aged from 14 to 22 were surveyed. Age,gender, oral hygiene habits and self-reported history of hygiene disorders were collected by questionnaire. Physical examination was processed and height,weight and blood pressure were measured. Results The prevalence rates of overweight,obesity and low weight were 11. 6%,3. 1% and 2. 2% respectively. The prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were significantly decreased with age increasing. There was no statistical correlation between overweight,obesity and caries( all P 0. 05). Students with low weight presented higher rate of self-reported gingival bleeding during the last two weeks than that with normal weight,overweight and obesity( 2= 5. 60,P = 0. 021). Conclusions The adolescent population presented a relatively high prevalence rate of obesity and low weight and that suggest double malnutrition existed. Low weight was significantly correlated with gingival bleeding whereas there was no statistical correlation between body mass status and dental caries.