The relationship of body mass index to penile length and testicular volume in adolescent boys

Background Evidence suggests that obesity may be related to early onset of puberty in girls. However, few studies have found a link between body mass index (BMI) and puberty onset in boys. More study is needed to assess the relationship of BMI to penile length and testicular volume. Objective To investigate the relationship ofBMI to penile length and testicular volume in adolescent boys. Methods A cross?sectional study was carried out on adolescent boys aged 9 to 14 years in Secanggang District, Langkat Regency, North Sumatera Province in August 2009. Subjects' BMIs were calculated by dividing body weight (BW) in kilograms by body height (BH) in meters squared. Penile length (em) was measured with a spatula. We took the average of three measurements from the symphysis pubis to the tip of the glans penis. Testicular volume (mL) was estimated by palpation using an orchidometer. Pearson's correlation test (r) was used to assess the relationship of BMI to penile length and BMI to testicular volume. Resu lts There were 108 participants, consisting of 64 primary school students and 44 junior high school students. Subjects' mean age was 11.7 (SO 1.62) years; mean BW was 35.2 (SO 8.48) kg; mean BH was 1.4 (SO 0.11) m; mean BMI was 17.5 (SO 2.34) kg/m'; mean penile length was 4.5 (SO 1.25) cm; and mean testicular volume was 3.6 (SD 1.20) mL. We found no significant association between BMI and penile length (r?-0.25, P?0.06), nor between BMI and testicular volume (r?-O.21; P?O.09). Conclusion T here was no significant relationship ofBMI to penile length nor BMI to testicular volume in adolescent boys. [Paediatr lndanes. 2012;52:267-71].