Belly Fat & Psoriasis Risk: Stronger Link Than Overall Fat?
- A new study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology indicates that central body fat, specifically around the abdomen, presents a greater risk for developing psoriasis than overall...
- The findings, derived from an analysis of over 330,000 UK Biobank participants of white British descent, including more than 9,000 with psoriasis, could refine early risk assessments and...
- Ramessur stated that the location of body fat matters significantly in assessing psoriasis risk.
Discover a crucial link: Belly fat poses a greater psoriasis risk than overall body fat, especially for women, according to a new study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology. This groundbreaking research, analyzing over 330,000 participants, reveals that abdominal fat acts as an independent risk factor for the chronic skin condition, even when considering genetic factors. The findings underscore the importance of waist circumference measurements and healthy weight strategies in psoriasis care. Researchers suggest this could transform early risk prediction and prevention and may also influence the use of incretin therapy. At News Directory 3, we follow the latest breakthroughs in dermatological research. What other health revelations will be uncovered next?
Abdominal Fat a Key Factor in Psoriasis Risk
Updated May 27, 2025
A new study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology indicates that central body fat, specifically around the abdomen, presents a greater risk for developing psoriasis than overall body fat, especially among women. The research suggests this connection remains consistent, irrespective of genetic factors, marking abdominal fat as an independent risk factor for psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin condition.
The findings, derived from an analysis of over 330,000 UK Biobank participants of white British descent, including more than 9,000 with psoriasis, could refine early risk assessments and tailor preventative strategies. Researchers, led by Dr. Ravi Ramessur at King’s College London, examined 25 body fat measures using traditional and advanced imaging techniques.
Dr. Ramessur stated that the location of body fat matters significantly in assessing psoriasis risk. He added that central fat, particularly around the waist, appears to play a crucial role. This has implications for identifying individuals more prone to developing psoriasis or experiencing more severe forms of the disease, and for tailoring prevention and treatment approaches.
Dr. Catherine H. Smith, also at King’s College London and senior author, noted the rising global obesity rates and the importance of understanding how different body fat patterns influence chronic inflammatory conditions like psoriasis. She added that the findings reinforce the importance of measuring waist circumference and promoting healthy weight strategies in psoriasis care, irrespective of genetic predisposition.
In an accompanying editorial, Dr. Joel M. Gelfand from the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine highlighted the potential of incretin therapy for psoriatic disease. Incretins, gut-derived hormones, regulate glucose, digestion, and appetite and are approved for treating diabetes and obesity.
The strong relationship between psoriasis and obesity and the emerging promise of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1RA) for reducing psoriasis morbidity is a call to action for large-scale clinical trials of GLP1RA monotherapy for treatment of psoriasis.
What’s next
Future research incorporating more diverse ethnic groups and dermatologist-confirmed diagnoses is needed to validate thes findings and improve risk stratification approaches for psoriasis and to fully understand the underlying biological mechanisms.