|
 Obesity
and
Decreased Hormone Production
Researchers writing in the medical journal Clinical Endocrinology say
that "Obesity may predict greater decline in testosterone and SHBG
levels with age."
|
Derby CA, Zilber S, Brambilla D, Morales KH, McKinlay JB.
Body mass
index, waist circumference and waist to hip ratio and change in sex
steroid hormones: the Massachusetts Male Ageing Study. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf).
2006 Jul 1;65(1):125-31.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16817831
From the study abstract:
Objective Cross-sectional data suggest that obesity, particularly
central obesity, may be associated with decreased production of sex
steroid hormones in men. However, longitudinal hormone data on men in
relation to obesity status are limited. Previous studies have not
consistently demonstrated whether sex steroids are associated
specifically to body mass index or to measures of central obesity.
Our objective was to examine the relation of obesity and of central obesity to longitudinal change in sex steroid
hormones in men.
Measurements Free and total testosterone (FT and TT),
dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), and sex hormone-binding
globulin (SHBG) were assessed using standardized methods. Health
behaviours and medical history were obtained by structured interview.
Repeated measures regression was used to describe trends in steroid
hormones and SHBG in relation to obesity status, adjusting for age,
smoking, alcohol, comorbidities, and physical activity.
Results: Obesity
was associated with decreased levels of total and free testosterone, and
of SHBG at follow-up relative to baseline. For any given baseline
concentration of TT, FT or SHBG, follow-up levels were lowest among men
who remained obese or who became obese during follow-up.
This was true
for all three indices of obesity. Central adiposity was associated with
lower DHEAS levels at follow-up, while elevated body mass index was not.
Conclusions: Obesity may predict greater decline in testosterone and SHBG
levels with age. Central adiposity may be a more important predictor of
decline in DHEAS than is body mass index. |
