Prevalence of weight loss attempts and behaviors used by individuals with psoriasis in the United States population.

OBJECTIVE: To examine weight loss behaviors of individuals with psoriasis in the American population and compare them to individuals without psoriasis.

METHODS: An analysis of data from the 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) was conducted. A total of 9174 Americans were included, with 232 self-reporting psoriasis. Measures included weight history and subjective physical activity, as well as the prevalence of weight loss attempts and weight loss behaviors over the past 12 months.

RESULTS: Participants with psoriasis were no more likely to have attempted to lose weight than participants without psoriasis (46.3 vs. 38.2%, p = .161). Likewise, the proportion of participants with psoriasis desiring to weigh less was similar to those without psoriasis (67.4 vs. 61.9%; p = .277). Only 48.0% of participants with psoriasis employed exercise to lose weight, as compared to 62.4% without psoriasis (p = .027). Among participants that attempted to lose weight, only 16.1% with psoriasis engaged in vigorous recreational physical activity, as compared to 28% of individuals without psoriasis (p = .042).

CONCLUSIONS: Participants self-reporting psoriasis were less likely to use exercise to lose weight. Clinicians should identify physical activity barriers among overweight/obese psoriasis patients, especially among those attempting to reduce weight.