Researchers at New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical Centre are the first to have found that obesity in men affects not just their hearts and metabolism, but also their sexual and urinary functions.
"The findings demonstrate that obesity in men -- part of a growing global epidemic -- affects their well-being in profound ways," senior investigator and Professor of Urology at Weill Cornell Medical College Dr Steven A Kaplan said.
The research team studied 409 men diagnosed with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) at the Institute for Bladder and Prostate Health at New York-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell.
Of the participants enrolled in the study ranging from 40-91 years of age, 37.5 per cent had a waist circumference of less than 36 inches, 33.5 per cent of men had waists that were between 36-40 inches, and 29 per cent of men had waists greater than 40 inches.
The study was published in British Journal of Urology International (BJUI).
"We have to think of the body in a much more holistic way. What we eat can have devastating consequences on more than just our hearts," Kaplan added.
"Quality of life issues, such as sexual and voiding health, can be affected as well in drastic ways."
The study also suggests that losing weight can help men overcome these issues that previously were not directly linked to body mass.
Additional findings conducted since this study was completed show that eliminating just 2.5 inches from the belly's circumference may lead to measurable improvement in sexual dysfunction and frequent urination.
