title: Epidemiology and risk factors of childhood acne in Korea: a cross-sectional community based study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The epidemiology of acne vulgaris appears to be evolving, with an increasingly earlier onset seen in childhood. Relevant studies have been rarely performed in Asia.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to estimate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of acne among schoolchildren, and its association with treatment-seeking behaviour, body mass index (BMI), nutritional habits and other lifestyle elements.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted with elementary schoolchildren aged 7-12 years. Children were interviewed by self-administered questionnaires, and were subsequently evaluated by dermatologists.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 693 children enrolled, 36.2% were diagnosed with acne, and the prevalence increased with age. Additionally, clinical characteristics including severity, duration of disease and lesion distribution were significantly different between the lower (aged 7-9 years) and the higher (aged 10-12 years) grades. Subjective features including recognition about acne and treatment-seeking behaviours were also different between the two groups. Overweight or obesity (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m(2) at 18 years of age; OR = 2.7) and consumption of chocolates/sweets (OR = 1.6) were significant risk factors for acne.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the current study, the prevalence of acne among elementary schoolchildren was high, but only a few children had received treatment. Physicians should be attentive to childhood acne, and educate patients and their parents about the need to treat it.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.|Acne and Rosacea Research Laboratory, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: S Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.|Acne and Rosacea Research Laboratory, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.|Acne and Rosacea Research Laboratory, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Min
authors.affiliation: Acne and Rosacea Research Laboratory, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: J Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.|Acne and Rosacea Research Laboratory, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Suh
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D015995:Prevalence; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires