Higher body mass index (BMI) in preadolescent children is associated with acne and the prevalence is greater in girls than in boys, according to a research published in Pediatric Dermatology.
“Little is known about acne incidence in preadolescents and its potential association with BMI. Our study aims to determine acne incidence in preadolescents and its association with BMI,” the research team noted in the study.
The team examined 643 preadolescents aged from 7 to 12 with acne between 2010 and 2018 to understand the relationship of BMI and acne. The researchers matched two age- and sex-matched controls without acne were randomly selected for each patient.
The researchers found that preadolescent girls had higher incidence of acne compared with boys. They also noted that the incidence of acne increased with age. “Preadolescents with acne are more likely to be obese than those without acne. Those with higher BMIs are more likely to be given systemic treatment,” the researchers stated in the study.
The study, which can be accessed here, was reportedly supported by the National Institute on Aging and the Rochester Epidemiology Project.