The Influence of Obesity and Sedentary Lifestyle on Testosterone Level and the Main Indicators of the Metabolic Status in Young Men

Abstract

Background. It is considered an established fact that there is an adverse trend in the male reproductive potential, which has been observed in various countries over the past decades. It is assumed that it can be formed due to the influence of individual lifestyle factors, in particular, a decrease in the level of physical activity and excessive nutrition, leading to obesity. However, the effect of obesity combined with sedentary or physically active lifestyle on the reproductive hormone level and metabolic homeostasis has not been studied well.
 Aims the aim of the work was to study the effects of obesity combined with sedentary or active physical lifestyle on the level of reproductive hormones and the main indicators of metabolic status of young men.
 Methods. In young male volunteers (median age 23 years, n = 295) from the general population, anthropometry was performed, which included body height and weight, waist and hip circumference, and body mass index (BMI); and they were also asked to fill out a questionnaire containing questions about individual lifestyle. In addition, serum concentrations of follicle stimulating and luteinizing hormones, testosterone, estradiol, inhibin B and triglycerides, total cholesterol, high and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose, uric acid were evaluated.
 Results. The most important lipid metabolism disorders observed in overweight and obesity included an increase in triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and a decrease in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Overweight and obesity in men was accompanied by an increase in waist and hip circumference, a decrease in the serum level of testosterone and inhibin B reaching in obese men the testosterone values characteristic for hypogonadism. Sedentary obese men had the increased waist circumference, lower testosterone level (median 13.6 vs. 18.0 nmol/L), elevated glucose level (median 5.8 vs. 4.9 mmol/L) compared to physically active obese men or those who prefer sports or physical recreation.
 Conclusions. In men, obesity negatively affects the serum level of testosterone and glucose, increases the accumulation of visceral fat, but a physically active lifestyle and sports give significant advantages to obese men, as it contributes to an increase in testosterone levels and normalization of metabolic parameters.