You’ve most likely heard the terms obese or overweight at least once. Whether the words were directed at you or someone else, most people have a preconceived opinion of what obesity is. Through movies, social media, or even casual conversations, it’s easy for inaccurate information to circulate.

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That’s why it’s crucial to properly educate yourself on obesity, especially if it affects you personally. Did you know that obesity impacts approximately 11% of men and 15% of women worldwide? While those percentages may not seem that concerning, the obesity rates have almost tripled since 1975, according to the World Health Organization.

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Obesity is a serious health concern that affects men and women alike. However, the impacts on both groups differ slightly. With being overweight comes an onslaught of additional health problems such as high blood pressure and kidney disease. This, in turn, can lead to men experiencing various reproductive health problems.

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Let’s take a look into how a man’s weight can influence his reproductive health.

Effects on reproductive health

Low testosterone

Testosterone is the sex hormone that is responsible for sperm production, sex drive, development of reproductive organs, and muscle mass in men. The National Library of Medicine has found that moderate obesity statistically decreases total testosterone. Through multiple studies, results show that men who are even slightly over the normal BMI (Body Mass Index) for their age exhibit signs of lower levels of testosterone. To calculate your BMI so you can determine if you are at risk for low testosterone, try this free calculator that the CDC offers. 

Fertility

As mentioned previously, testosterone has a direct impact on sperm production—meaning that low testosterone can negatively influence sperm count and quality, thus affecting a man’s fertility. Research suggests that men with excessive body fat are 39 percent more likely to have no sperm in their ejaculate. This is a big concern for men who want to create a family as there are fewer chances of fertilizing an egg if sperm is low. Obesity can also impact other aspects of sperm quality like shape and mobility by altering hormones. 

Sexual dysfunctions

The diseases that can stem from obesity put men at a higher risk of developing sexual dysfunctions like premature ejaculation or erectile dysfunction. More specifically, high blood pressure and diabetes. Both are common in men who have excessive body fat. These diseases may cause sexual dysfunction due to abnormalities with blood flow or damage to the penis. Not only that, but the medications used for those conditions can make it hard to maintain an erection. High blood pressure and heart disease medications are common culprits.

Some options to consider

Surgery

If obesity is posing an immediate threat to your health, surgery is an option. Certain surgeries and procedures can help decrease your risk of life-threatening medical concerns or serve as a viable solution to prevent your situation from worsening. However, when considering something like gastric sleeve surgery, it’s imperative you do the proper research. You should thoroughly analyze the credentials of the doctor that you are considering, the office location, testimonials, and if you’re an eligible surgery candidate. You want to make an educated decision as surgery is a serious topic.

Diet changes

Diet changes are necessary when bettering your health before and after surgery. If you don’t adopt a healthier diet after surgery, the chances of your BMI increasing to unhealthy levels again are very high. Start with small changes when you first embark on your healthy diet journey to help you keep track of things. Your body may or may not like everything you introduce into your diet, and making small changes makes it easier to pinpoint any issues.

Health routines

Creating a routine that is conducive to your overall health goals is crucial. It’ll be difficult for you to stay on track with your health if your lifestyle doesn’t support it. Start slowly taking control of your health by incorporating hobbies that promote better well-being—yoga, walks around the park, biking, etc. Make it a point to do one activity that is beneficial to your physical health every day. The more you do the activity, the quicker it can turn into a habit. After you’ve established some activities you’d like to introduce into your routine, you can alter your regimen as needed.

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Sources:

Harvard Health. 2022. Obesity: Unhealthy and Unmanly - Harvard Health Publications - Harvard Health. [online] Available at: <https://www.health.harvard.edu/mens-health/obesity-unhealthy-and-unmanly> [Accessed 11 April 2022].

Who.int. 2022. Obesity and overweight. [online] Available at: <https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight> [Accessed 11 April 2022]. 

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