Association between endogenous sex hormones and adiposity in youth across a weight status spectrum

Background

While endogenous sex hormones (e.g., testosterone, estradiol) are important factors regulating adipose tissue distribution, studies evaluating such relationships in youth across a wide weight status spectrum are limited.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 8–21-year-old youth. Multiple linear regression models were used to evaluate associations between sex hormones and adiposity measures (android/gynoid ratio (A/G), total fat mass (FM), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), waist circumference (WC)) and total lean mass (LM), adjusting for pubertal stage and race/ethnicity, and stratified by sex and weight status.

Results

Among 342 youth, the mean age was 13.0 ± 2.8 years old (52.6% female; 38.9% normal weight [NW]; 27.8% overweight/obesity [OW/OB]; 33.3% severe obesity [SO]). Testosterone was positively associated with LM among males with NW (1462 g, 95% CI: 255–2668 g) and OW/OB (3792 g, 95% CI: 1244–6340 g), with A/G and WC among males with NW (0.01, 95% CI: 0–0.2 and 10 mm, 95% CI: 4–16 mm, respectively), and negatively associated with WC among males with SO (−43 mm, −81 to −5 mm). Estradiol was positively associated with A/G, FM, and WC among males with SO, and VAT in females with NW.

Conclusion

Our findings showed that sex hormones were associated with adipose tissue deposition in youth across the weight spectrum.

Impact statement

• Sex hormones (e.g., testosterone, estradiol) are associated with various adiposity measures among male and female children and adolescents across a weight status spectrum.

• We evaluated associations between sex hormones and various adiposity measures among 8–21-year-olds across a weight status spectrum (normal weight, overweight/class 1 obesity, class 2–3 obesity). We found that estradiol was positively associated with total fat mass, android/gynoid ratio, and waist circumference in males with class 2–3 obesity, and testosterone was positively associated with lean mass in males with normal weight and overweight/class 1 obesity.

• Sex hormones may influence, or may be influenced by, adiposity in youth.