A man’s waist circumference may give some clues to his urinary and sexual health, according to researchers from NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City.
They found that men with larger waistlines needed to urinate more frequently and were more likely to have problems with erections and ejaculation.
The 409 men who participated in the study were between the ages of 40 and 91 and had moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). The men were divided into three groups based on their waist circumference:
- 37.5% of the men had a waist circumference of less than 90 cm (approximately 35.4 inches).
- 33.5% had a waist circumference of 90 to 99 cm (approximately 35.4 – 39 inches).
- 29% had a waist circumference of 100 cm or more (approximately 39.4 inches).
The researchers found that 74.5% of the men in the largest waist group were more likely to have erection problems, compared to 50% of the middle group and 32% of the smallest waist group.
Waist measurement was also associated with ejaculatory function, as 65% of the largest waist group reported problems, compared to 40% of the middle group and 21% of the smallest waist group.
The men with the largest waist circumferences also had higher odds risks of prostate volume and higher prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels when compared to the other two groups.
In addition, the men with the largest waists tended to urinate more frequently; 39% of the men in this group urinated more than eight times in 24 hours and 44% urinated more than twice during the night.
They also had higher rates of high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes, and higher cholesterol levels.
“We have to think of the body in a much more holistic way,” said Dr. Steven Kaplan, one of the study authors, in a press release. “What we eat can have devastating consequences on more than just our hearts. Quality of life issues, such as sexual and voiding health, can be affected as well in drastic ways.”
“This adds even more importance to the recommendation that men should maintain a healthy weight for their overall well-being,” Dr. Kaplan added.
Resources
BJUI
Lee, Richard K., et al.
“Central obesity as measured by waist circumference is predictive of severity of lower urinary tract symptoms”
(Abstract. First published online: January 13, 2012)
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1464-410X.2011.10819.x/abstract;jsessionid=D648DD29230EC8EF61F71F2FBB996593.d02t03
“Men with large waists face an increased risk of frequent urination”
(Press release. July 31, 2012)
http://www.bjui.org/BJUI_IMAGES/Waist%20size%20and%20LUTS%20PRESS%20RELEASE%20August%202012%20.pdf
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
“As a Man’s Belt Size Increases, So Does His Risk of Sexual and Urinary Dysfunction”
(Press Release. July 31, 2012)
http://nyp.org/news/hospital/waist-size-dysfunction-kaplan.html#