Obesity Link To Gum Illness Confirmed

an almost 1/3 increased chance (29%) of suffering from periodontal disease

Men who have a BMI of 30+ are more probable to suffer from gum disease then people of normal weight according to new research. The research undertaken by Monik Jimenez at the famous Harvard University School of Public Health also examined the connection between higher rates of gum disease and heart disease. The far reaching study looked at over 36,000 men who took part in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study and focused particularly on data they got regarding periodontal issues and extra weight. The study looked at data over a sixteen year period ending in 2002.

The results showed very clearly that obesity brought on an almost 1/3 increased chance (29%) of suffering from periodontal disease compared to those men of a normal weight and a slightly but “negligibly smalll” extra risk of suffering from gum disease if you were classified as overweight (BMI 25+ but less than 30).

The link between having a large waist measurement and gum disease was also examined and those men who had a waist of more than 40in. had an almost 1/5 greater chance (19%) of getting gum disease when compared to those with a waist of less than 40in. Monik Jimenez also teamed up with the University of Puerto Rico in San Juan to examine data which showed that a high waist-hip ratio also increased the chances of gum disease in men and women over the age of 70. They saw that a high waist-hip ratio increased the chances by almost six times when compared to those with a normal waist-to-hip ratio.

David Cochran from the Department of Periodontics at the University of Texas Health Science Center commented that this research confirms other research which showed that the link between heart disease and gum disease was significant and that doctors could recommend a healthy heart diet as being good for your gums as well as lowering the risk of heart disease.

It amazes us at Ukmedix News that practically every single health condition known to man is aggravated and made more likely to appear by obesity.