Overweight boys experience earlier puberty onset than normal peers: Study - Video

Childhood obesity is reshaping puberty patterns in boys worldwide, leading to earlier sexual maturation and related physical changes.

A recent systematic review and meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Endocrinology examined data from 12 large cohort studies spanning Asia, Europe, North and South America to quantify the impact of overweight and obesity on male pubertal milestones.

The research focused on key puberty indicators driven by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, including testicular enlargement, pubic hair development, peak height velocity, voice change, and first ejaculation. Using standardized measures like Tanner staging and testicular volume, the team compared overweight and obese boys with their normal-weight peers.

Results showed that overweight boys had a 38% higher risk of early testicular enlargement, and obese boys had a 43% increased risk. On average, overweight boys reached this milestone about three months earlier than normal-weight boys. Central obesity, measured by waist circumference and body fat percentage, further elevated early testicular growth risk by approximately 70%.

Pubic hair development also occurred earlier in heavier boys, with overweight boys seeing a 24% increased risk and obese boys a 42% increase compared to peers. Despite these shifts in sexual maturation, peak height velocity, which reflects the speed of adolescent growth spurts, showed no significant difference between obese and normal-weight boys.

Subgroup analyses revealed regional and age-related differences, with Asian-Pacific boys and those assessed after age six showing stronger associations. Additional cohort data linked elevated prepubertal BMI to earlier first ejaculation and voice changes, reinforcing advanced puberty among boys carrying excess weight.

The study’s findings confirm childhood overweight and obesity as significant biological stressors advancing certain male puberty markers. This knowledge can guide families and clinicians in managing childhood weight to influence puberty timing and reduce long-term health risks. Further research is needed to deepen understanding and develop tailored interventions worldwide.

REFERENCE: Feng W & Ren C. (2025). The relationship between childhood obesity and male puberty development: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front. Endocrinol. 16. DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2025.1711557. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1711557/full