Relationship between diet, atopy, family history, and premature hair graying

Premature hair graying (PHG) is commonly observed in society, but there are a few studies evaluating risk factors associated with PHG. We aimed to evaluate the socio-clinical risk factors associated with PHG in this study.

A total of 1192 volunteers between 18 and 20 years old were included in this cross-sectional study. Volunteers were asked to fill in a questionnaire on socio-clinical risk factors associated with PHG such as smoking, alcohol consumption, diet preference, atopy history, and family history of PHG and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS).

Three hundred and seventy-seven (31.6%) of the 1192 volunteers had PHG. Vegetarian diet preference, atopy history, and family history of PHG were significantly higher in subjects with PHG. Mean body mass index (BMI) and PSS scores were higher in subjects with PHG, but was not statistically significant. In the ordinal logistic regression analysis according to severity of PHG, male gender, BMI, alcohol consumption, and history of paternal PHG were significantly higher and onset age of PHG was significantly lower in PHG group.

Our study is the first study reporting a relationship between PHG and diet. It may be possible to prevent PHG or reduce its severity with some lifestyle changes such as diet preference, having normal weight, and decreasing alcohol consumption.