Association Between Diet and Acne Severity: A Cross-sectional Study in Thai Adolescents and Adults
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2340/actadv.v101.569Keywords:
acne, Asia, chocolate, diet, foodAbstract
The association between diet and acne is of growing concern. Every country has its own food culture; however, only a few studies have surveyed the influence of Asian cuisine on acne. This study investigated the association between acne severity and diet/lifestyle factors in 2,467 Thai adolescents and adults. Data were collected via a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. In Thai adolescents and adults, the prevalence of mild acne was 52%, moderate acne 22%, and severe acne 8%. No acne was found in 18% of participants. The dietary factors associated with increased severity of acne were consumption of chocolate >100 g/week (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.29; 95% CI 1.07–1.56), oily and fried food >3 times/week (aOR 1.84; 95% CI 1.07–3.16) and white rice (aOR 1.80; 95% CI 1.24–2.63). Conversely, the factors associated with decreased severity of acne were consumption of sugar-free milk-free tea (aOR 0.61; 95% CI 0.43–0.87) and vegetables (aOR 0.74; 95% CI 0.62–0.89).
Downloads
References
Collier CN, Harper JC, Cafardi JA, Cantrell WC, Wang W, Foster KW, et al. The prevalence of acne in adults 20 years and older. J Am Acad Dermatol 2008; 58: 56-59.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2007.06.045 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2007.06.045
Platsidaki E, Dessinioti C. Recent advances in understanding Propionibacterium acnes (Cutibacterium acnes) in acne. F1000Res 2018; 7: 1953.
https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.15659.1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.15659.1
Spencer EH, Ferdowsian HR, Barnard ND. Diet and acne: a review of the evidence. Int J Dermatol 2009; 48: 339-347.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-4632.2009.04002.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-4632.2009.04002.x
Wolkenstein P, Machovcova A, Szepietowski JC, Tennstedt D, Veraldi S, Delarue A. Acne prevalence and associations with lifestyle: a cross-sectional online survey of adolescents/young adults in 7 European countries. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2018; 32: 298-306.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.14475 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.14475
Cordain L, Lindeberg S, Hurtado M, Hill K, Eaton SB, Brand-Miller J. Acne vulgaris: a disease of Western civilization. Arch Dermatol 2002; 138: 1584-1590.
https://doi.org/10.1001/archderm.138.12.1584 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/archderm.138.12.1584
Cordain L. Implications for the role of diet in acne. Semin Cutan Med Surg 2005; 24: 84-91.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sder.2005.04.002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sder.2005.04.002
Juhl CR, Bergholdt HK, Miller IM, Jemec GBE, Kanters JK, Ellervik C. Dairy intake and acne vulgaris: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 78,529 children, adolescents, and young adults. Nutrients 2018; 10: E1049.
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10081049 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10081049
Dai R, Hua W, Chen W, Xiong L, Li L. The effect of milk consumption on acne: a meta-analysis of observational studies. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2018; 32: 2244-2253.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.15204 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.15204
Aghasi M, Golzarand M, Shab-Bidar S, Aminianfar A, Omidian M, Taheri F. Dairy intake and acne development: a meta-analysis of observational studies. Clin Nutr 2019; 38: 1067-1075.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2018.04.015 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2018.04.015
Ulvestad M, Bjertness E, Dalgard F, Halvorsen JA. Acne and dairy products in adolescence: results from a Norwegian longitudinal study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2017; 31: 530-535.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.13835 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.13835
LaRosa CL, Quach KA, Koons K, Kunselman AR, Zhu J, Thiboutot DM, et al. Consumption of dairy in teenagers with and without acne. J Am Acad Dermatol 2016; 75: 318-322.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2016.04.030 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2016.04.030
Kucharska A, Szmurło A, Sińska B. Significance of diet in treated and untreated acne vulgaris. Postepy Dermatol Alergol 2016; 33: 81-86.
https://doi.org/10.5114/ada.2016.59146 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/ada.2016.59146
Burris J, Rietkerk W, Woolf K. Acne: the role of medical nutrition therapy. J Acad Nutr Diet 2013; 113: 416-430.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2012.11.016 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2012.11.016
Heng A, Chew F. Systematic review of the epidemiology of acne vulgaris. Sci Rep 2020; 10: 5754.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-62715-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-62715-3
Smith RN, Braue A, Varigos GA, Mann NJ. The effect of a low glycemic load diet on acne vulgaris and the fatty acid composition of skin surface triglycerides. J Dermatol Sci 2008; 50: 41-52.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdermsci.2007.11.005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdermsci.2007.11.005
Netea SA, Janssen SA, Jaeger M, Jansen T, Jacobs L, Miller-Tomaszewska G, et al. Chocolate consumption modulates cytokine production in healthy individuals. Cytokine 2013; 62: 40-43.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cyto.2013.02.003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cyto.2013.02.003
Block SG, Valins WE, Caperton CV, Viera MH, Amini S, Berman B. Exacerbation of facial acne vulgaris after consuming pure chocolate. J Am Acad Dermatol 2011; 65: e114-115.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2010.08.015 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2010.08.015
Delost GR, Delost ME, Lloyd J. The impact of chocolate consumption on acne vulgaris in college students: a randomized crossover study. J Am Acad Dermatol 2016; 75: 220-222.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2016.02.1159 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2016.02.1159
Vongraviopap S, Asawanonda P. Dark chocolate exacerbates acne. Int J Dermatol 2016; 55: 587-591.
https://doi.org/10.1111/ijd.13188 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ijd.13188
Di Landro A, Cazzaniga S, Parazzini F, Ingordo V, Cusano F, Atzori L, et al. Family history, body mass index, selected dietary factors, menstrual history, and risk of moderate to severe acne in adolescents and young adults. J Am Acad Dermatol 2012; 67: 1129-1235.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2012.02.018 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2012.02.018
Niltem E, Thitthiwong P. Prevalence and associated factors of acne vulgaris among high school students in rural and urban areas of Thailand: a cross-sectional study. J Southeast Asian Med Res 2019; 3: 25-31.
Burris J, Rietkerk W, Woolf K. Relationships of self-reported dietary factors and perceived acne severity in a cohort of New York young adults. J Acad Nutr Diet 2014; 114: 384-392.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2013.11.010 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2013.11.010
Ghodsi SZ, Orawa H, Zouboulis CC. Prevalence, severity, and severity risk factors of acne in high school pupils: a community-based study. J Invest Dermatol 2009; 129: 2136-2141.
https://doi.org/10.1038/jid.2009.47 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/jid.2009.47
Penso L, Touvier M, Deschasaux M, Szabo de edelenyi F, Hercberg S, Ezzedine K, et al. Association between adult acne and dietary behaviors: findings from the Nutrinet-Santé prospective cohort study. JAMA Dermatol 2020; 156: 854-862
https://doi.org/10.1001/jamadermatol.2020.1602 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamadermatol.2020.1602
Melnik BC. Linking diet to acne metabolomics, inflammation, and comedogenesis: an update. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol 2015; 8: 371-388.
https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S69135 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S69135
Miller JB, Pang E, Bramall L. Rice: a high or low glycemic index food? Am J Clin Nutr 1992; 56: 1034-1036.
https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/56.6.1034 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/56.6.1034
Ismail NH, Manaf ZA, Azizan NZ. High glycemic load diet, milk and ice cream consumption are related to acne vulgaris in Malaysian young adults: a case control study. BMC Dermatol 2012; 12: 1-8.
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-5945-12-13 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-5945-12-13
Huang X, Zhang J, Li J, Zhao S, Xiao Y, Huang Y, et al. Daily intake of soft drinks and moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris in Chinese adolescents. J Pediatr 2019; 204: 256-262.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2018.08.034 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2018.08.034
Shen Y, Wang T, Zhou C, Wang X, Ding X, Tian S, et al. Prevalence of acne vulgaris in Chinese adolescents and adults: a community-based study of 17,345 subjects in six cities. Acta Derm Venereol 2012; 92: 40-44.
https://doi.org/10.2340/00015555-1164 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2340/00015555-1164
Kwon HH, Yoon JY, Hong JS, Jung JY, Park MS, Suh DH. Clinical and histological effect of a low glycaemic load diet in treatment of acne vulgaris in Korean patients: a randomized, controlled trial. Acta Derm Venereol 2012; 92: 241-246.
https://doi.org/10.2340/00015555-1346 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2340/00015555-1346
Smith RN, Mann NJ, Braue A, Mäkeläinen H, Varigos GA. A low-glycemic-load diet improves symptoms in acne vulgaris patients: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr 2007; 86: 107-115.
https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/86.1.107 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/86.1.107
Smith RN, Mann NJ, Braue A, Mäkeläinen H, Varigos GA. The effect of a high-protein, low glycemic-load diet versus a conventional, high glycemic-load diet on biochemical parameters associated with acne vulgaris: a randomized, investigator-masked, controlled trial. J Am Acad Dermatol 2007; 57: 247-256.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2007.01.046 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2007.01.046
Kumari R, Thappa DM. Role of insulin resistance and diet in acne. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2013; 79: 291-299.
https://doi.org/10.4103/0378-6323.110753 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/0378-6323.110753
Chen W, Obermayer-Pietsch B, Hong JB, Melnik BC, Yamasaki O, Dessinioti C, et al. Acne-associated syndromes: models for better understanding of acne pathogenesis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2011; 25: 637-646.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-3083.2010.03937.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-3083.2010.03937.x
Dougan P, Rafikhah N. Red and black types of pepper and acne vulgaris: a case-control study. Asian J Clin Nutr 2014; 6: 53-58.
https://doi.org/10.3923/ajcn.2014.53.58 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3923/ajcn.2014.53.58
Wei B, Pang Y, Zhu H, Qu L, Xiao T, Wei HC, et al. The epidemiology of adolescent acne in North East China. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2010; 24: 953-957.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-3083.2010.03590.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-3083.2010.03590.x
Lee YB, Byun EJ, Kim HS. Potential role of the microbiome in acne: a comprehensive review. J Clin Med 2019; 8: 987.
https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm8070987 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm8070987
Bowe W, Patel NB, Logan AC. Acne vulgaris, probiotics and the gut-brain-skin axis: from anecdote to translational medicine. Benef Microbes 2014; 5: 185-199.
https://doi.org/10.3920/BM2012.0060 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3920/BM2012.0060
Lu PH, Hsu CH. Does supplementation with green tea extract improve acne in post-adolescent women? A randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical trial. Complement Ther Med 2016; 25: 159-163.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2016.03.004 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2016.03.004
Additional Files
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2021 Katewadee Roengritthidet, Nanticha Kamanamool, Montree Udompataikul, Salinee Rojhirunsakool, Saranya Khunket, Silada Kanokrungsee
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
All digitalized ActaDV contents is available freely online. The Society for Publication of Acta Dermato-Venereologica owns the copyright for all material published until volume 88 (2008) and as from volume 89 (2009) the journal has been published fully Open Access, meaning the authors retain copyright to their work.
Unless otherwise specified, all Open Access articles are published under CC-BY-NC licences, allowing third parties to copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format and to remix, transform, and build upon the material for non-commercial purposes, provided proper attribution to the original work.
