Just cause she fat!

Dr. Charlene Reid

YOUR DENTIST AND YOU

In The Bahamas we hardly ever hear the words obese or obesity. We might hear, "man you solid eh," "Gal you just heavy set, or big boned." When you're young or just had a baby they tell you have baby fat. It's funny that no one tells you the truth. You are fat, maybe even obese.

Obesity is on the rise and becoming a significant health problem. Obesity is associated with serious life-threatening diseases including cardiovascular disease (heart disease), cancer, and diabetes. Several recent publications show that obesity is also linked to an increased risk for periodontal disease. Yes, the more heavy set you are the greater your risk for periodontal diseases.

For many years, researchers have been trying to determine the link between gum disease and heart disease risks. Gum diseases include a mild form called gingivitis, in which gums bleed easily. Gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, in which bacteria in the plaque irritate the gums and provoke an inflammatory response.

To explore the possible connection between excess weight and gum problems, a researcher analyzed data from nearly 37,000 men who participated in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. They were free of gum disease at the beginning of the study and were followed for up to 16 years, from 1986 to 2002.

Researchers gathered information on the men's height, weight and self-reported gum disease diagnoses, as well as their waist and hip measurements.

Obesity was associated with a 29 percent increased risk of periodontal disease. Waist circumference was linked to a higher risk of gum disease, too. Men with a waist of 40 inches or more considered a risk for heart diseases had a 19 percent higher risk of getting gum disease than those with a waist under 40 inches.

While this doesn't prove cause-and-effect, It's reason enough to recommend a heart healthy diet that's also good for your gums. If nothing makes you put down the fried chicken, potentially losing your teeth to gum disease should.

Scientific data indicates that obesity interferes with the ability of the immune system to appropriately respond to infection. The generalized immune system suppression seen might indicate that obese people are more vulnerable to bacterial infections in general than people of healthier weight. The common denominator may be inflammation. Periodontal in-flammation and inflammation throughout the body are very much associated with one another.

Reading this study has motivated me to eat healthier and to lose the extra "baby fat."

Dr. Charlene E. Reid is a graduate of the University of Havana's Dental Faulty. She currently works at the Grand Bahama Health Service Dental Department and in private practice at Easy Dental Care in the Pioneer's Professional Plaza. Should you have any questions about this or any previous articles please feel free to contact her at 3527844 or at drcharlenereid@aol.

© 2009 The Freeport News