Previous studies have shown that overweight may influence occurrence of periodontal disease. The aim of study was investigate the association between abdominal obesity and periodontitis. This cross sectional study was conducted in 345 adultos (169 no obese and 167 obese), attended at Public Health Service, from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Obesity was established by abdominal circunference (AC). Structured questionnaries were applied to participants e physical exams were done. A trained dentist performed oral exam and gave diagnosis of periodontitis. Prevalence Ratio (PR) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI 95%) were obtained using Poisson Regression with robust variance. Variables as schooling, diabetes, family income, smoking, sex, and age were adjusted in statistical models. Prevalences of obesity and periodontitis were 49.7% and 74.2%, respectively. There was statistically significant association between abdominal obesity and periodontitis only in female gender, even adjusted by confounders (PR adjusted: 1.20; 95%CI: 1.01-1.44 ). These findings corroborate previous studies that found positive association in women as compared to man. These investigations also suggest worse periodontal condition in obese individuals. Results suggest that women in age group 18 to 49 years having elevated AC are more likely to develop periodontitis compared with individuals with normal AC. Periodontitis and obesity are very prevalent chronic diseases in Brazilian population, and they have high impact on quality of life. Elucidation about real influence of overweight on oral health may contribute to clinical care management. Foundation for Research Support of the State of Bahia (FAPESB). Keywords: obesity, periodontitis, epidemiology