Which factor has not been demonstrated to have a clear association with acne in adolescents?

Which factor has not been demonstrated to have a clear association with acne in adolescents?

• A. Hormonal imbalance
• B. Family history
• C. Stress
• D. Dairy products and high glycemic-index foods

Answer: (C)

Stress is not demonstrated to have a clear association with acne in adolescents. While stress can influence overall skin health and may worsen symptoms in some individuals, robust evidence showing a direct causal link is lacking. In contrast, puberty brings hormonal fluctuations that increase sebaceous gland activity, a family history can reflect genetic susceptibility to acne, and dairy products plus high glycemic-index foods have been linked to acne through mechanisms involving insulin and IGF-1 that can drive oil production and inflammation. So the strongest signals point to hormonal changes, genetics, and certain dietary factors as associated with acne, whereas stress lacks a consistent, proven connection.

Stress is not demonstrated to have a clear association with acne in adolescents. While stress can influence overall skin health and may worsen symptoms in some individuals, robust evidence showing a direct causal link is lacking. In contrast, puberty brings hormonal fluctuations that increase sebaceous gland activity, a family history can reflect genetic susceptibility to acne, and dairy products plus high glycemic-index foods have been linked to acne through mechanisms involving insulin and IGF-1 that can drive oil production and inflammation. So the strongest signals point to hormonal changes, genetics, and certain dietary factors as associated with acne, whereas stress lacks a consistent, proven connection.