Obesity has been proposed as a risk factor for periodontal disease, though its role in disease progression among older men remains unclear. This study examined associations between multiple obesity measures and periodontitis progression in a cohort of community-dwelling U.S. men aged 65 years and older participating in the MrOS study. Periodontal status was assessed at two time points, and obesity was measured using body mass index and DXA-derived fat distributions. Severe periodontitis was present in 36% of participants at baseline, and 33% experienced disease progression. After adjustment for relevant confounders and stratification by baseline periodontal status, no significant associations were found between any obesity measure and periodontitis progression. These findings do not support obesity as a risk factor for periodontal disease progression in older men.
