Cutaneous sequelae of a national health crisis: Obesity and the skin

Abstract

Abstract Background The global obesity pandemic has far‐reaching health consequences and has become a major global health challenge. The worldwide prevalence of obesity nearly doubled between 1980 and 2008 and based on the latest estimates in the European Union, obesity affects up to 30% of adults. As a consequence of this rising prevalence of obesity, there has been an increase in the frequency of certain disease of the skin. Objectives We review the cutaneous sequelae of obesity, firstly describing the physiological consequences of increased adiposity in the skin and secondly examining the dermatoses associated with obesity.