Keywords
Periodontal Disease, Physical activity, College Students, Oral health, perceived stress, Oral Hygiene
Abstract
Periodontal disease (PD) is a preventable inflammatory disease that targets the supporting tissues that surround teeth. PD is extensively studied among older adults, but there is limited evidence of the prevalence of PD and potential modifiable risk factors among young adults. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence and severity of PD among U.S. college students and (2) examine the association between objectively measured physical activity (PA), oral hygiene awareness, perceived stress, and PD symptoms. College students from a large metropolitan university were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Oral hygiene knowledge, PD symptoms, and perceived stress were self-reported. PA was objectively measured using a wrist-worn accelerometer over a 7-day period. Thirty participants provided complete study data. Half of the participants reported at least one risk factor for PD. PD was negatively associated with flossing (r =-0.301), brushing (r= -0.406), mouthwash use (r= -0.550), regular dental check-ups (r= -0.185), and oral hygiene knowledge (r=-0.314). PA and step count were not associated with PD. PD was positively associated with a higher body mass index (r=0.458). These findings suggest that oral hygiene habits and body composition play a significant role in PD risk than PA levels among college students. These results highlight the importance of proper oral hygiene education among young adults. This research also supports the need for further research with a larger and diverse population sample to better understand the modifiable risk factors for PD.
Thesis Completion Year
2026
Thesis Completion Semester
Spring
Thesis Chair
Newsome, A’Naja
College
College of Health Professions and Sciences
Department
Department of Health Sciences
Thesis Discipline
Health Science
Language
English
Access Status
Open Access
Length of Campus Access
None
Campus Location
Orlando (Main) Campus
STARS Citation
Quilula, Gustavo, "The Relationship Between Physical Behaviors, Perceived Stress, Oral Hygiene Awareness, And Periodontal Disease Among College Students" (2026). Honors Undergraduate Theses. 489.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hut2024/489
Word doc of thesis
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