Associations Between Obesity Across the Lifespan and Adult Penis Dimensions

Q: What is the study aim regarding obesity and penile dimensions?

To examine associations of childhood and adulthood obesity, along with related anthropometric measures, with adult penile lengths and girths.

Q: How was prepubertal BMI estimated in this study?

The study reconstructed 3D models based on participants’ childhood photographs to estimate their prepubertal BMI.

Q: What did the results show about childhood versus adulthood obesity?

Childhood obesity was associated with shorter adult penile length measures, whereas adulthood obesity showed no significant associations with present BMI in multivariate models and was framed as relating more to penile appearance than actual size.

Jul 10, 2026

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Penile size has medical and cultural significance, yet prior research often links limited adult factors to penile dimensions and typically considers only BMI, while the role of childhood obesity remains insufficiently clarified. This retrospective observational study investigates how childhood and adulthood obesity and related anthropometrics associate with adult penile lengths and girths. Three-dimensional reconstructions estimate prepubertal BMI from childhood photos; standardized measurements and multivariate regression evaluate penile outcomes across multiple dimensions. Results indicate childhood obesity relates to shorter adult penile growth measures, while adulthood obesity shows effects mainly on appearance.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

Abstract

Background

Aim

Methods

Outcomes

Results

Clinical Implications

Strengths and Limitations

Conclusion

Introduction

Associations between obesity across the lifespan and adult penis dimensions: a retrospective observational study of Vietnamese men using 3D-modeled prepubertal BMI Bac Hoai Nguyen, MD, PhD1 ,2 , * , Quan Minh Pham, MD1 ,3 , Anh Bui Quoc Nguyen4 , Anh Phuong Nguyen4 , Vu Bui Duy Nguyen, FdSc5 , Andrea Sansone, MD, PhD3 , Emmanuele A. Jannini, MD, PhD3 1 Department of Andrology and Sexual Medicine, Hanoi Medical University Hospital, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam 2 Surgery Faculty, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam 3 Chair of Endocrinology and Sexual Medicine (ENDOSEX), Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, 00133, Italy 4 Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam 5The Olympia Schools, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam *Corresponding author: Department of Andrology and Sexual Medicine, Hanoi Medical University Hospital, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam. Email: [bac.nh@hmu.edu.vn](bac.nh@hmu.edu.vn) Abstract Background: Penile size has been a subject of medical and cultural interest. Recent studies mainly focus on correlations between limited adulthood factors and penile parameters. While discussing obesity as a critical factor affecting the penis, only the body mass index (BMI) is considered, ignoring other indices. Furthermore, the impact of childhood obesity on penile dimensions has not been well established, leading to a gap in knowledge. Aim: To investigate associations of childhood and adulthood obesity, alongside related anthropometric measures, with penile lengths and girths. Methods: This retrospective observational study using convenience sampling included 290 men who presented for reproductive health checksand met the inclusion criteria from June 2023 to July 2024 . We reconstructed 3D models based on participants’ childhood photographs to estimate their prepubertal BMI. Other anthropometrics and penile parameters were measured following standardized protocols. Multivariate linear regressions were ﬁtted to evaluate the associations of prepubertal BMI and adulthood body indices with penile parameters, including stretched, pubic-to-tip ﬂaccid, and skin-to-tip ﬂaccid lengths, as well as glans and mid-shaft diameters. Outcomes: Penile length measurements, including stretched length, pubic-to-tip length, and skin-to-tip ﬂaccid length, were analyzed in relation to childhood obesity, adulthood obesity, and other anthropometric indices. Results: Considering the interaction between childhood and adulthood body compositions, prepubertal obesity was associated with shorter stretched (β = -1.201, P = .05), pubic-to-tip (β = -1.899, P < .01), and skin-to-tip ﬂaccid lengths (β = -1.868, P < .01) in adulthood. Regarding adulthood factors, no signiﬁcances were detected regarding the present BMI in multivariate linear regressions. There were correlations between waist [circumference vs. skin-to-tip](circumference vs. skin-to-tip) ﬂaccid length (β = -0 .047, P = .02) and hip circumference vs. pubic-to-tip stretched length (β = 0 .047, P = .04) . Moreover, prepubertal circumcisions negatively affected the stretched length (β = 0 .683, P = .05) . Clinical Implications: Childhood obesity may have a relationship with penile growth, whereas adulthood obesity primarily affects penile appearance rather than actual size. Strengths and Limitations: This study presents a novel approach to assessing the association between childhood obesity and adulthood penile dimensions without long-term follow-ups. Using 3D reconstructions from childhood photos enhances feasibility but may introduce recall bias and potential systematic errors. Conclusion: Childhood obesity is associated with penile growth, while adulthood obesity relates to the appearance of the penis rather than the actual size. Thus, there is a need for early interventions to mitigate the potentially long-term effects of childhood obesity on penile development. Keywords: penile size;

FAQs

What is the study aim regarding obesity and penile dimensions?

To examine associations of childhood and adulthood obesity, along with related anthropometric measures, with adult penile lengths and girths.

How was prepubertal BMI estimated in this study?

The study reconstructed 3D models based on participants’ childhood photographs to estimate their prepubertal BMI.

What did the results show about childhood versus adulthood obesity?

Childhood obesity was associated with shorter adult penile length measures, whereas adulthood obesity showed no significant associations with present BMI in multivariate models and was framed as relating more to penile appearance than actual size.

Jul 10, 2026

Upload by Finn