A new study from King’s College London has uncovered a strong connection between abdominal fat and psoriasis, an autoimmune disorder with painful skin condition characterized by itchy and scaly patches.
Unlike general body weight, it’s fat around the waist that poses the bigger threat — and women appear to be especially vulnerable, says the study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.
In psoriasis, the immune system triggers skin cells to multiply at an accelerated rate, leading to the buildup of thick, scaly patches on the skin. This chronic inflammatory condition affects millions worldwide — with prevalence in India estimated to range between 0.44% and 2.8% of the adult population.
The research analysed data from over 330,000 people in the UK Biobank, including more than 9,000 with psoriasis. The team examined 25 different ways fat is distributed in the body — and zeroed in on central fat, or fat stored around the abdomen, as a key contributor to psoriasis risk.
“It’s not just how much fat you have — it’s where you carry it,” said Dr. Ravi Ramessur, lead author and dermatologist at St John’s Institute of Dermatology, King’s College London. “Our findings suggest that belly fat plays a bigger role in psoriasis than previously thought, and this is especially true for women.”
Professor Catherine H. Smith, senior author, said the research supports a shift in psoriasis care toward earlier detection and lifestyle strategies aimed at reducing abdominal obesity.
“With global obesity on the rise, we need to pay closer attention to fat distribution — not just BMI — when assessing chronic inflammatory diseases like psoriasis,” said Smith. “Waist size might be a better predictor of risk than we ever realized.”
Dr. Joel Gelfand of the University of Pennsylvania said, “We’ve long known psoriasis is more than skin deep.”
“Now we’re seeing just how closely it’s tied to metabolic health. It's time to rethink how we treat and manage this condition.”
Waist measurements could become a new screening tool for early psoriasis risk.
Instead of shedding normally, in Psoriasis, excess cells accumulate on the skin's surface, forming thick, red patches covered with silvery-white scales. Commonly affected areas include the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back, but it can appear anywhere on the body.
Although not contagious, psoriasis can significantly impact a person's physical and emotional well-being. It often leads to itching, discomfort, and self-consciousness, especially if the plaques are highly visible. Stressful life events, such as financial problems, family conflicts, and even personal illnesses, can also exacerbate psoriasis flares, say the dermatologists.
