A new study has found that having too much belly fat may do more than just affect your appearance, it could also increase your chances of developing psoriasis, a long-term inflammatory skin condition. The research, conducted by King’s College London, looked at health data from more than 330,000 people in the UK and found a strong connection between abdominal fat and psoriasis.
Published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, the study examined 25 different body fat measurements. These included waist-to-hip ratio, abdominal fat ratio, waist size, and total fat tissue around the stomach. These measures, especially those linked to fat around the waist, showed the strongest connection to psoriasis. The Body Mass Index (BMI), which is commonly used to assess obesity, was not as accurate in predicting the risk of psoriasis.
Dr. Ravi Ramessur, the lead researcher from St John’s Institute of Dermatology at King’s College London, explained, “Our research shows that where fat is stored in the body matters when it comes to psoriasis risk. Central fat, especially around the waist, plays a key role.”
Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes red, scaly patches, often on the scalp, elbows, and knees. It is a chronic inflammatory disease and can severely affect a person’s quality of life. People with psoriasis often have higher levels of body fat, but the exact role of where that fat is located and how it interacts with genetics is still being studied.
The researchers used both traditional methods and advanced imaging to assess fat distribution. They found that people with higher amounts of central fat were more likely to develop psoriasis, regardless of their genetic background.
Dr. Catherine H. Smith, another senior author of the study, said, “As obesity rates continue to rise, it’s important to understand how different fat patterns affect diseases like psoriasis. Our study shows that central body fat can increase the risk, even if someone is not genetically prone to the condition.”
This new information could help doctors look beyond BMI and focus more on waist size when assessing someone’s risk of developing psoriasis. It may also encourage more personalised approaches to prevention and treatment.
However, the study does have limitations. All participants were of White British ancestry, so the findings may not apply to other ethnic groups. The authors say more research is needed, especially involving people from different backgrounds and with dermatologist-confirmed diagnoses.
Dr. Ramessur added, “We were surprised by how strong the link was between belly fat and psoriasis, especially in women. This suggests there may be other biological reasons behind the connection that we still don’t fully understand.”
For now, the researchers recommend paying closer attention to waist size, not just weight, when thinking about health risks related to psoriasis. Staying active, eating a balanced diet, and maintaining a healthy weight, especially around the middle, could be important steps in preventing or managing the condition.
