Obesity
It all seems like puzzle pieces coming together for a clearer picture: acanthosis nigricans, obesity, and diabetes. Being overweight is the number one factor that may cause acanthosis nigricans as much as it is significant in developing diabetes.
In some states, children who are beyond their recommended weight are screened for acanthosis nigricans to identify their risks of having prediabetes.
In the medical field, being overweight or obese is more than just a vanity thing. It is not merely about being fat or buying clothes with “X” on the size. It is about the possible illnesses that may develop because of it. Studies suggest that about 74% of people with obesity have acanthosis nigricans. A good percentage of that figure may also deal with diabetes in the long run.
If obesity triggers the darkened skin patches, then the most helpful treatment is losing all the excess weight in a healthy way—through a balanced diet and daily exercise. Doing so may not only help the skin condition fade away but also erase one’s risks for diabetes.
