Cutaneous manifestations of obesity in Turkish children: A comparative study

Abstract

Background Cutaneous changes in obese adults have been investigated in numerous studies, but this issue has not been adequately investigated in children. Objectives We aimed to determine the prevalence of skin manifestations in children with obesity by comparing them to normal‐weight children. Methods A cross‐sectional study was conducted between June 2017 and January 2019 in which 82 children with obesity and 86 normal‐weight healthy control children were enrolled. Study participants had detailed full‐body skin examinations performed by the same dermatologist; mycological and Wood's lamp examinations were performed when necessary. Sociodemographic and anthropometric measurements of the participants were recorded. Results Striae distensae were the most common skin manifestation in children with obesity; striae were significantly higher in the obese than in the control group (72% vs. 26.7%, p < .001). The anatomical distribution of the striae distensae in the groups differed significantly. Striae distensae were most commonly observed on the buttocks in the control group, while the thighs were the most common site in the obese group. Acanthosis nigricans (63.4% vs. 3.5%, p < .001), acrochordons (17.1% vs. 1.2%, p < .001), keratosis pilaris (32.9% vs. 17.4%, p = .021), intertrigo (11% vs. 0%, p = .001), folliculitis (31.7% vs. 5.8%, p < .001), seborrheic dermatitis (12.2% vs. 3.5%, p = .035) and facial erythema (7.3% vs. 0%, p = .012) were found to be statistically significantly more common in the obese group compared to the control group. Conclusions Obesity in children is associated with numerous cutaneous manifestations. Further study is needed to identify whether weight loss can reduce skin manifestations in obese children.

Pediatric obesity and skin disease: cutaneous findings and associated quality-of-life impairments in 103 children and adolescents with obesity

“…Accordingly, the prevalence of tinea pedis (12%) is markedly elevated in children with obesity compared to schoolchildren in the general population, in whom the prevalence ranges from 2.69% ( 32 ) to 5.7% ( 33 ). While dermatomycosis occurred substantially more frequently in Egyptian children (21.9%), the results of other previous studies are comparable to the general population ( 15 , 16 ). Similarly, in another German study examining minors with diabetes mellitus, tinea pedis was observed only in 1.6% of the participants ( 34 ).…”

“…To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest study of the clinical spectrum of cutaneous lesions, their associations with anthropometric data and their impacts on QoL in children and adolescents with obesity. Compared to a recent study including 82 pediatric patients with overweight and obesity, the mean BMI SDS values were similar (2.74 ± 0.72 vs 2.60 ± 0.5) ( 15 ). Furthermore, four studies with a similar dermatological focus and >80 included patients ( n = 82 ( 14 ), n = 100 ( 26 ), n = 510 ( 27 ), n = 91 ( 16 )) did not report the BMI SDS values of the recruited patients.…”

“…In adults with overweight and obesity, PH occurs more often due to prolonged weight bearing over a period of years ( 10 ). PH frequency is known to depend on the grade of obesity ( 29 ), which explains the varying prevalence (3.7% - 45.1%) in heterogeneous study populations ( 15 , 26 , 27 , 30 ). Of note, orthopedic abnormalities did not influence plantar hyperkeratosis, as valgus knees and foot malpositioning occurred independently of plantar hyperkeratosis in our study population.…”

“…While some specific entities, such as acanthosis nigricans (AN), have been studied in individuals with childhood obesity ( 11 , 12 ), structured investigations of skin abnormalities in pediatric patients with obesity are still scarce. Moreover, the impact of cutaneous afflictions on the general well-being and skin-related QoL of children with obesity has not been extensively studied thus far ( 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ). Similarly, associations of skin diseases with anthropometric data and metabolic parameters have not yet been described.…”

Not Only Metabolic Complications of Childhood Obesity

“…In addition, 38.9% of subjects showed reduced dermatological quality of life [ 214 ]. Striae distensae are also the most frequently observed dermatologic condition among children with obesity, according to the study by Güven et al [ 215 ].…”