Acne is one of the most common skin problems faced by the young generation. Hormonal changes during puberty often lead to this occurrence. Bringing new hope to children affected with acne is a new study from Italy, which says that a low body mass index (BMI) can protect adolescents against such blemishes.
BMI is a number calculated from a person's weight and height, to measure body fat.
A team of researchers led by Anna Di Landro of the Centro Studi Gruppo Italiano Studi Epidemiologici in Italy, examined factors that increase the risk of young people getting moderate-to-severe acne. To reach a conclusion, they examined 205 individuals with moderate-to-severe acne and compared with 358 people without acne. All the participants were aged between 10 and 24 years, Health Day reported.
They found family history, body mass index and diet having a direct link with the occurrence. Risks of getting acne increased considerably (odds ratio, 3.41) with a first-degree relative having acne. A low body mass index (BMI) was found cutting the risks of acne, particularly among boys. Apart from that, consumption of fish was also shown as preventing acne. Consuming more than three portions of milk per week were associated with an increased risk of getting acne.
"In conclusion, our study confirms the important role of a family history on the risk of moderate-to-severe acne, and suggests that lower body mass index values, especially in boys and men, may have a protective effect," Health Day quoted the authors as writing. "The influence of environmental and dietetic factors in acne that develops in adolescents should be further explored."
Findings of the study have been published in the December issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
