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

Rizky Adriansyah; Muhammad Ali; Hakimi Hakimi; Melda Deliana; Siska Mayasari Lubis

doi:10.14238/pi52.5.2012.267-71

Rizky Adriansyah Department of Child Health, University of Sumatera Utara Medical School/H Adam Malik Hospital, Medan, North Sumatera
Muhammad Ali Department of Child Health, University of Sumatera Utara Medical School/H Adam Malik Hospital, Medan, North Sumatera
Hakimi Hakimi Department of Child Health, University of Sumatera Utara Medical School/H Adam Malik Hospital, Medan, North Sumatera
Melda Deliana Department of Child Health, University of Sumatera Utara Medical School/H Adam Malik Hospital, Medan, North Sumatera
Siska Mayasari Lubis Department of Child Health, University of Sumatera Utara Medical School/H Adam Malik Hospital, Medan, North Sumatera

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14238/pi52.5.2012.267-71

Keywords: body mass index, penile length, testicular volume, adolescent boys

Abstract

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 crossô€€¿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 (rô€€»-0.25, Pô€€»0.06), nor between
BMI and testicular volume (rô€€»-O.21; Pô€€»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].

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