Childhood Psoriasis associated with increased risk for being Overweight and Obese
(Best Syndication News) - Children who have psoriasis are at an increased risk for being overweight or obese, according to a new study. The research findings were published in the JAMA Network publication, Online First by Archives of Dermatology.
The study authors explain that previous research suggested that adults with psoriasis are at an increased risk for obesity, heart attacks, strokes, and type-2 diabetes. Other recent investigations suggested that there was a relationship between children with psoriasis and obesity.
Amy S. Paller, M.D., with Northwestern University, Chicago, along with colleagues, studied to see if there was a relationship between the severity of childhood psoriasis and obesity. The cross-sectional study involved 409 children who had psoriasis comparing them against 205 children that did not have psoriasis. The children were spread out over nine countries. The BMI and waist measurements of the children and severity of psoriasis were assessed between June 19, 2009 and December 2, 2011.
The children’s psoriasis was rated as mild or severe. The mild rating was based on the Physician’s Global Assessment score of ≤3 when less than 10 (≤10) percent of body surface area was affected. The severe rating was based on the same scoring system, but had to have a score of ≥3 with more than ten percent of the body affected.
Thirty-nine percent of the children with psoriasis had a BMI equal to or over the 85th percentile in the excess adiposity measurement. Comparatively, only 20.5 percent of the control group had a ranking equal to or above the 85th percentile. Children who enrolled in the study with mild psoriasis, but later saw their condition develop into the severe form, showed no significant difference in excess or central adiposity than children whose psoriasis remained severe.
The waist circumference measurement of the children made a difference. The waist to height ratio was “significantly” higher in children with psoriasis compared to the control group; it didn’t matter how sever the psoriasis was.
More research would be needed to determine if the excess body fat contributes to psoriasis. If that is demonstrated, then proper weight loss and lifestyle changes could help ease the skin disorder.
By: Marsha Quinn