The Industrialized Diet and Its Relationship to Skin Disease

Food and nutrition have been recognized as an important component of health and well-being for millennia, but over the past 100 years, western countries have seen an industrialization and homogenization of diet that is now laden with highly processed, calorie-dense foods rich in refined sugar, salt, white flour, processed meats, dairy, food additives, and refined oils, but being low in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and plant-derived antioxidants. A recent study reported that ultra-processed foods now make up 58% of calories consumed by U.S. adults and children older than 1 year, resulting in a high risk of adverse health outcomes, especially cardiometabolic, mental health disorders, and mortality. In fact, poor diet is the number one risk factor for premature death, mostly from cardiovascular disease, but also linked to chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes mellitus and cancer. In dermatology, diet has been linked to conditions like acne, and metabolic disease has been linked to psoriasis and acne severity. This lecture will discuss the industrialization of food production and the relationship between diet and some common diseases encountered in dermatology.

Originally published on January 2, 2026

Lecture Presenter

Scott R. Florell, MD Professor of Dermatology University of Utah School of Medicine Consulting Medical Director, Dermatology ARUP Laboratories

Dr. Scott R. Florell is a consulting medical director of dermatology at ARUP Laboratories and a professor of dermatology at the University of Utah School of Medicine. Dr. Florell received his medical degree from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine. He completed residencies in dermatology and anatomic and clinical pathology at the University of Utah School of Medicine. Dr. Florell is certified in dermatology by the American Board of Dermatology and in anatomic and clinical pathology by the American Board of Pathology. His research interests include melanoma and cutaneous oncology.

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Objectives

After this presentation, participants will be able to:

• Discuss the industrialization of food production in the U.S.
• Recognize the relationship between some common inflammatory skin diseases and diet
• List available nutrition education resources

Sponsored by:

University of Utah School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, and ARUP Laboratories