Which statement about acanthosis nigricans is false?

• A. It indicates risk of insulin resistance.
• B. It occurs in 10% of white obese kids.
• C. It occurs in 50% of black obese kids.
• D. It is not related to BMI.

Answer: (D)

Acanthosis nigricans is a visible marker of insulin resistance that often accompanies higher body fat. In kids, excess adiposity leads to higher insulin levels, and those elevated insulin levels stimulate skin cell growth, producing the dark, velvety patches in areas like the neck, armpits, and groin. Because obesity drives insulin resistance, the condition tends to appear more in people with higher BMI, and its prevalence varies by ethnicity (more common in Black and some Hispanic populations, with lower percentages in White obese kids). Therefore, the statement that it is not related to BMI is false—the condition is closely linked to BMI and metabolic risk.