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Acne is one of the most dreaded condition for teenagers, or anyone for that matter. A new study suggests that family history, BMI and diet, each of these factors could be behind the risk of moderate-to-severe acne in youngsters.

Researchers Anna Di Landro, M.D., from the Centro Studi Gruppo Italiano Studi Epidemiologici in Dermatologia in Bergamo, Italy, and team evaluated the influence of family history, personal habits, dietary factors and menstrual history on individuals aged between 10 and 24 years, Medical Xpress reported.

The researchers compared the data of 205 patients with moderate-to-severe acne to 358 individuals who had mild or no acne. The findings of the study revealed that a person with a first-degree relative with acne had high chances of having moderate-to-severe acne.

Also, males with a lower BMI were found to be at a reduced risk when compared to women, and no link was seen with smoking or with menstrual variables, the report said.

Excessive milk consumption in participants (more than three portions per week) was linked to acne, and skimmed milk seemed to have a stronger correlation when compared to whole milk.

Consumption of fish, however, seemed to have a protective effect.

"In conclusion, our study confirms the important role of a family history on the risk of moderate-to-severe acne, and suggests that lower body mass index values, especially in boys and men, may have a protective effect," the authors wrote.

"The influence of environmental and dietetic factors in acne that develops in adolescents should be further explored."

The study was published in the December issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.