The Relationship between Various Obesity Indices and Level of Male Hormone according to Different Age Groups

Lee, Yoo Jung; Kim, Hyeon Ju; Kong, Mi Hee

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The decrease in testosterone level during the aging process is associated with decrease in muscle mass and increase in visceral fat and body fat percent. The present study investigates the relationship between various obesity indices and level of testosterone according to different age groups.
METHODS
A total of 156 individuals who underwent specific health exams in a local university hospital from January 2011 to July 2013 were included. Obesity indices were represented as BMI, waist circumference (WC), body fat percent (BFP), visceral fat area (VFA), subcutaneous fat area (SFA), and visceral to subcutaneous ratio (VSR). Subjects were categorized into four age groups: 35-44 years, 45-54 years, 54-64 years, and over 65.
RESULTS
In almost all age groups obesity indices showed an inverse relation to testosterone level while VSR showed no significant association with either total or free testosterone levels. All obesity indices (BMI, WC, BFP, VFA, and SFA), except for VSR, manifested a statistically significant inverse correlation with total testosterone level, especially among subjects in the age group of 35-44 years and those greater than 65 years. However, free testosterone level failed to show a significant correlation with any of the obesity indices. No significant difference was noted in the correlation coefficient value among the different age groups.
CONCLUSION
BMI and WC significantly increased in all age groups as total testosterone level decreased. Body fat percent, visceral fat area and subcutaneous fat area showed a significant inverse correlation with total testosterone in the relatively young aged subjects and in the old aged groups.