Acne patients, 18 and older, are more than twice as likely to have an eating disorder compared to people without the condition, researchers say.
Adults with acne face a significantly higher risk of developing an eating disorder, a new study finds.
Researchers say acne may heighten concerns about appearance leading to harmful thoughts and behaviors like body size obsession and restricted eating.
They analyzed data from nearly 7,400 acne patients, 18 and older, comparing them to more than 207,000 people without the condition.
The acne patients were 2.4 times more likely to have an eating disorder, according to the results. Even after accounting for a history of anxiety, depression or body image problems, acne was tied to a 65% increased risk of an eating disorder.
The lead author says, “Our findings will help physicians caring for individuals with acne to be attentive to signs of eating disorders to provide holistic and comprehensive care to patients.”
He adds that while this study was conducted in people 18 and older, both acne and eating disorders “heavily impact” adolescents.
He says future research should include people of all ages.
Source: Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
Author Affiliations: Yale School of Medicine, Yale School of Public Health
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