Skin Manifestations of Obesity: A Comparative Study
September 2011
in “
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
”
TLDR Obese people have more skin problems like stretch marks and infections, which get worse with higher obesity levels.
Between May 2009 and May 2010, a study involving 76 obese patients (BMI ≥30 kg/m²) and 73 normal-weight controls (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m²) revealed that skin conditions such as striae, plantar hyperkeratosis, acrochordons, intertrigo, pseudoacanthosis nigricans, keratosis pilaris, lymphedema, and bacterial infections were significantly more common in the obese group. Additionally, the incidence of striae, pseudoacanthosis nigricans, and bacterial infections increased with the severity of obesity. The study concluded that there is a strong association between obesity and various skin changes, highlighting the need for medical care addressing these dermatological issues in obese patients to enhance their quality of life.
