Abstract

Background: Obesity is a worldwide major public health problem with an alarmingly increasing prevalence over the past 2 decades. The consequences of obesity in the skin are underestimated. The present study was conducted to assess the effect of obesity on skin infections.
Materials & Methods: In the present study conducted at Department of Dermatology, L. N. Medical College & Research Centre, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh (India); a total of 90 obese subjects were enrolled in the study. All subjects attended dermatological examination for skin diseases. The P-values of 0.05 or less were considered to indicate statistical significance.
Results: Prevalence of Plantar hyperkeratosis, Skin tags, Striae distensae, Intertrigo (Candidal, dermatophytes, bacteria), Hyperhidrosis, Keratosis pilaris, Hyperpigmentation, Stasis pigmentation increases from BMI I to BMI III. Plantar hyperkeratosis showed a significant difference in three groups.
Conclusion: The study concluded that as obesity increases the prevalence to skin diseases also increases.