The Correlation Between Acne Vulgaris and Body Mass Index Among Undergraduate Males in Al Balqa Applied University

Abstract

Background: Acne vulgaris (AV) is a common dermatological condition among young adults. Emerging evidence suggests a possible association between body mass index (BMI) and acne presentation. However, this relationship remains underexplored in the Jordanian population.
Objective: To examine the association between BMI and acne characteristics among male undergraduate students at Al-Balqa Applied University.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 376 male students aged 18–25 years. BMI, acne severity, subtype, and treatment patterns were assessed using structured questionnaires. Statistical tests were applied to explore associations between BMI and acne-related variables.
Results: BMI was significantly associated with acne subtype and treatment choice. Overweight individuals showed a higher prevalence of cystic acne and were more likely to use oral medications, while underweight and obese participants were more likely to report no treatment. Acne severity did not differ significantly by BMI.
Conclusion: BMI appears to influence acne subtype and treatment behavior but not severity. These findings highlight the importance of considering BMI in clinical assessments of acne among young adults.
Keywords: Acne vulgaris; BMI; Gender variation; Jordan; Dermatology.