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Body Fat, Not BMI, Affects Male Fertility
4 Aug
Summary
- High body fat percentage linked to lower sperm counts.
- Body fat percentage predicts fertility better than BMI.
- Excess body fat may disrupt male reproductive hormones.
New research published on July 29, 2026, reveals that body fat percentage is a more significant predictor of male fertility than BMI. The study, involving over 1,000 Danish men, utilized bioimpedance analyzers to precisely measure body fat.
Men with higher body fat percentages, even those with normal BMIs, exhibited lower sperm counts and concentrations. This association suggests that excess body fat can negatively impact reproductive health by altering hormone balances, potentially affecting fertility.
Researchers emphasized that body fat percentage offers a clearer picture of fertility risk than BMI, which can be misleading for individuals with high muscle mass. They recommend assessing body fat percentage in clinical settings to identify at-risk men who might otherwise be overlooked.
