Analysis of facial soft tissue values and cranial skeletal widths in different body mass index percentile adolescent subjects

Abstract

Objective The purpose of this study was to analyze facial soft tissue thickness and cranial skeletal transverse widths in adolescent subjects with different body mass index (BMI) percentiles. Methods The 80 subjects were divided into three groups according to BMI percentile: normal-weight, overweight, and obese adolescent subjects. Facial soft tissue linear and cranial skeletal transversal width measurements were performed on lateral and postero-anterior cephalometric radiographs. Results Glabella, nasion, pogonion, and gnathion soft tissue thicknesses were significantly different among normal-weight, overweight, and obese subjects (p < 0.05). However, other facial soft tissue thickness parameters were not statistically significantly different among the groups (p > 0.05). Moreover, there were no significant differences in cranial skeletal transversal widths among groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion Nasion soft tissue thickness was thicker in overweight subjects; whereas, glabella, pogonion and gnathion soft tissue thickness was thicker in obese subjects. All measured cranial skeletal widths were similar in normal-weight, overweight, and obese subjects.