Body mass index, physical activity and erectile dysfunction: An U-shaped relationship from population-based study

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the relationships between body mass index (BMI), physical activity and erectile dysfunction (ED). Design and subjects: A population representative cross-sectional analytic study of ED in Hong Kong, with two-stage stratified random sampling, and face-to-face interviews conducted by trained interviewers with structured questionnaires. Study subjects were 1506 men aged 26-70. Results: Age (odds ratio (OR) ¼ 1.30; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20-1.40), physical activity (OR ¼ 0.91 per 500 kcal/week; 95% CI 0.84-0.98), and general psychological distress (OR ¼ 1.03 per GHQ score; 95% CI 1.00-1.06) were independently associated with ED after multivariate adjustments. An U-shaped relationship between BMI and ED was observed only among men with no exercise (oonce/week): BMI o18.5 (OR ¼ 2.99; 95% CI 1.01-8.86), 18.5-19.9 (OR ¼ 2.66; 95% CI 1.04-6.79), 20.0-20.9 (OR ¼ 1.37; 95% CI 0.49-3.79), 22.0-22.9 (OR ¼ 1.36; 95% CI 0.58-3.17), 23.0-24.9 (OR ¼ 1.66; 95% CI 0.70-3.93), X25.0 (OR ¼ 2.47; 95% CI 1.08-5.67) using BMI 21.0-21.9 as reference, adjusted for age, GHQ and smoking status. Being physically active (X1000 kcal/week) only reduced the risk of ED (OR ¼ 0.40, 95% CI 0.16-0.95) in men who were obese, adjusted for age, GHQ, smoking status and BMI. Conclusions: BMI and physical activity independently and differentially affected ED risk. BMI had greatest influence with low physical activity, and physical activity exerted greatest influence when BMI was high. This is the first study to demonstrate an U-shaped relationship between BMI and ED risk, but only in men with no exercise, and to identify underweight as a risk factor for ED. This relationship has clinical implications for obese as well as underweight individuals.

Sintomas do envelhecimento masculino: a influência positiva da atividade física moderada e total

“…In longitudinal analysis, it was specified that the high prevalence of PA practice in individuals aged 50 years serves as a protective measure for the development of depression, reducing the risk by up to 94% 24 . Related to sexual aspect, Cheng and Ng 25 highlight the important benefits of PA to the erectile function, thus influencing in sexual performance. Regarding the PA level of the study participants, it was observed that most of them were sufficiently active, with significant association between PA level and male aging symptoms.…”

“…Epidemiological studies have shown measures to minimize the occurrence of these symptoms, with the use of drugs and hormone replacement [5][6][7] . Some results have shown that in addition to these measures, PA (physical activity) can be considered as an important means to mitigate the negative effects of these symptoms on the health of men 8,9 , demonstrating to be effective in controlling psychological, somatic and sexual aspects 9 . However, there is lack of knowledge regarding the relationship between PA duration and intensity and male aging symptoms.…”

Disfunção erétil associada à prática de atividade física e qualidade de vida de idosos

“…Para a determinação do grau da DE foi utilizada a soma das questões 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 e 15. Classificadas em cinco categorias: ausência (26-30), suave (22)(23)(24)(25), suave para moderada (17-21), moderada (11-16) e severa (6)(7)(8)(9)(10) O nível de AF dos participantes do estudo é apresentado na tabela 3, onde é possível observar que a maioria dos idosos são classificados como SA (n=81), com destaque para aqueles com DE (n=46). Dentre os idosos que possuem DE, quando categorizados de acordo com a severidade da doença, a maioria é classificada como SA, sendo n=28 da categoria severa, n=13 da moderada e n=5 da suave.…”

“…Atualmente é possível observar avanços farmacoló-gicos e cirúrgicos no tratamento da DE, o que desperta crescente interesse na população em geral e profissionais da saúde, gerando maior demanda de serviços clí-nicos especializados 6 . Entretanto, a literatura demonstra que além de tais métodos interventivos, a prática de atividade física (AF) tem sido apontada como tratamento importante para esta disfunção [7][8] . Estudos apontam ainda, que a falta ou a prática limitada de AF podem ser preditores da DE 7 .…”

“…Entretanto, a literatura demonstra que além de tais métodos interventivos, a prática de atividade física (AF) tem sido apontada como tratamento importante para esta disfunção [7][8] . Estudos apontam ainda, que a falta ou a prática limitada de AF podem ser preditores da DE 7 . A relação entre AF e DE poderia ser justificada pelos benefícios que a AF proporciona ao sistema cardiovascular, na redução de doenças vasculares, melhoria das funções endoteliais e aumento do fluxo sanguíneo em determinados leitos vasculares 9 , sendo que tais efeitos podem auxiliar na vascularização peniana 10 .…”