Obesity and Skin Problems

Worldwide, obesity is a major health problem. It contributes to physiological modifications and the development of chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus type 2, hypertension, cancer, etc. Obesity cases are only increasing rapidly in Western countries like the United States and Europe but also in Asia and Middle-East countries. An unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity and genetic defects are causes of obesity. Both genders are affected by obesity. People who are aged between 40 and 60 years old suffer from obesity. For some inexplicable reasons, the subject of obesity and its link with dermatological disorders has not attracted as much attention as it justifiably merits. However, myriads of studies indicate that obesity is certainly related to numerous skin problems such as Acanthosis Nigricans, Striae distensae, pressure ulcer, diabetic foot ulcer, lymphedema, Massive Localized Lymphadema (MLL), Candida albicans infections, Psoriasis (PSO), Erythrasma, Granular parakeratosis (GP), Pretibial mucinosis and Dercum disease. In this chapter, obesity-related skin diseases are discussed briefly.