Medscape: Kids with Obesity at Higher Risk for Skin Conditions
By Pauline Anderson
With rates of childhood obesity increasing to the point of becoming a public health concern, related skin conditions are also on the rise in the pediatric population, results of new research show.
The retrospective cohort study found markedly higher rates of skin infections, atopic dermatitis (AD), and acanthosis nigricans among children with overweight compared with children with average weight.
"Many conditions associated with obesity are strong predictors of cardiovascular mortality as these children age, so doctors can play a key role in advocating for weight loss strategies in this population," lead study author Samantha Epstein, third-year medical student at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio told Medscape Medical News.
Commenting on the results, Sonia Havele, MD, a pediatrician and dermatology resident at Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri, told Medscape Medical News that the study reflects trends that she and her colleagues see in clinic: There are more common skin conditions in their patients with obesity.
She agreed that it offers an opening for education. "The results of this study highlight the opportunity we have as pediatric dermatologists to provide additional counselling on obesity and offer referrals to our colleagues in endocrinology, gastroenterology, and nutrition if needed."
Read the full article via Medscape