Body mass index and acne among Congolese students in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Background and Objective: Acne is a common inflammatory dermatosis in adolescents, influenced by multiple factors (hormonal, genetic, environmental, and nutritional) and known to affect quality of life. This study aimed to explore the potential association between body mass index (BMI) and acne among adolescents in Kinshasa, where available data remain scarce. Methods: This was an analytical and descriptive study conducted from March to December 2023 (nine months) in four randomly selected secondary schools in Kinshasa. Eligible participants were students aged 10 to 19 years, enrolled in the selected schools, who provided verbal assent and whose parents gave informed consent. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed using SPSS v.20 and Epi Info v.7. The value of p < 0.05 was considered the threshold for statistical significance. Results: The prevalence of acne among adolescents was 72%, with a female predominance (64.8%) and a higher frequency after age 15 (43%). Most cases started around age 14 (33.3%), with a slight male predominance (51.38%). The duration of acne exceeded one year in 60% of cases. A family history of acne was reported in 38.66% of participants. The use of cosmetic products and puberty were significantly associated with acne, unlike dietary habits. Acne type and BMI differed significantly by sex (p=0.0006 and p=0.009): retention and inflammatory acne were more common in females (54.82% and 70.18%), while obesity was associated with severe acne (grade 3) in males (100%). BMI was significantly correlated with acne severity in both sexes (p<0.05). Conclusion: Body mass index, regardless of its value, is associated with acne severity in adolescents. A holistic and multidisciplinary management approach may help improve the quality of life of affected students.