Dietary glycemic load in adolescent girls with and without acne

Background: Acne is a chronic inflammatory skin disease and a cosmetic problem with considerable emotional and psychological side effects and symptoms, such as pain and pruritus. Some controversies exist concerning the involvement of dietary factors, including glycemic load (GL), in the pathogenesis of acne. Accordingly, we aimed to determine the role of GL and anthropometric measures in acne development among girls aged 12-18 years in Tehran, Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 99 girls (45 girls without acne and 54 girls with acne) aged 12 18 years completed a threeday food record. Anthropometric measures, such as height, weight, waist circumference, and body mass index (BMI), were also assessed. Additionally, an expert dermatologist scored the severity of acne, and then, anthropometric measures and GL were examined in the groups. Results: The results showed no significant difference in dietary GL, height, weight, BMI, and waist circumference between the groups. Furthermore, the severity of acne was not significantly associated with GL. Conclusion: The present results did not confirm the association between acne and dietary carbohydrates, including GL. However, further research can contribute to determination of the effect of diet on acne and its severity.