Sedentary lifestyle, late bedtime risk factors for acne

Acne is common among people with prolonged sedentary behaviour and late bedtime but not among those who regularly engage in physical activity, according to a study.

The population-based cross-sectional study included 11,922 adults, recruited from 10 districts in Shenzhen. All participants completed investigator-administered questionnaires that evaluated sedentary behaviour, physical exercise, sleep, depression, and anxiety, among other pertinent metrics. Acne was diagnosed by dermatologists and further assessed to determine its severity.

Analyses were performed using binary and ordinal logistic regression model, with a restricted cubic spline applied to examine a dose–response association. Mediation analyses were also conducted to estimate the effect of depressive and anxiety symptoms on the associations.

The overall prevalence of acne was 14.79 percent, and this was higher in females vs males (15.91 percent vs 13.5 percent).

The odds of acne were increased among participants with severe sedentary behaviour (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.19, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 1.06–1.34) and those who slept late (aOR, 1.17, 95 percent CI, 1.03–1.33). Conversely, the odds were low among participants who exercised regularly (aOR, 0.86, 95 percent CI, 0.75–0.99).

In additional analyses, a total sedentary time of >4 h per day was associated with greater odds of acne. Depressive and anxiety symptoms partially mediated the associations between acne and sedentary behaviour and late bedtime.

The findings highlight sedentary lifestyles and circadian misalignment as modifiable risk factors for acne, as well as underscore the need to integrate biopsychosocial approaches for acne management.