Does Being Overweight Cause Acne?

Acne is a common skin disorder. It occurs when the pores of the skin are clogged by dead skin cells, dirt, and excess oils. Acne may be manifested in two ways: inflammatory and non-inflammatory. Inflammatory acne is commonly known as pimples; reddish lesions on the skin which may or may not contain pus. The most serious yet uncommon form of inflammatory acne is the cystic acne. Cystic acne can grow several centimeters in diameter and needs immediate medical attention. Non-inflammatory acne are whiteheads and blackheads. Whiteheads and blackheads are considered non-inflammatory because they do not manifest as lesions on the skin.

Acne is not a life-threatening condition; but it is considered serious nonetheless because of its social implications. People suffering from acne are known to suffer from depression, social phobia, and low self-esteem.

Many studies have been conducted to isolate and identify at least one or several factors that directly cause acne. Unfortunately, no such single or specific groups of factors have been identified. Like the common cold, the main cause of acne has yet to be established.

The best that these studies have been able to achieve are to present correlations between certain factors and the occurrence of acne. One such factor singled out is obesity or the state of being severely overweight. Studies show that there is no direct link between being overweight and acne. In fact, statistics show that overweight people tend to suffer less from acne than their slimmer counterparts. What these studies have established are a link between diet and acne. Studies show that an improper diet increases the possibility of acne in several ways:
• Hormonal imbalance;
• Inefficient excretion of waste products by the body;
• Inefficient absorption of nutrients necessary to maintain a healthy body;
• Over or malnutrition; and
• An unhealthy digestive system.

The occurrence of any of those enumerated above increases the risk of acne. While an improper diet may lead to being overweight, none of these studies have been able to show a direct link between being overweight and the occurrence of acne.