Objective: To study whether life style patterns are related with total testosterone levels in younger age group.
Methodology: This randomized cross sectional study was conducted on 66 male medical students. A standardized questionnaire was completed regarding lifestyle factors. The open ended items of the questionnaire consisted of sleep duration, number of awakenings at night, smoking and duration of exercise. Regarding development of secondary sexual characters, questions about development of external genitalia, pubic hairs and growth were asked according to Tanner stages of puberty. Serum total testosterone level was determined. Data were analyzed using student t test and Pearson bivariate correlation.
Results: A linear trend was observed between decreasing total serum testosterone levels and increasing neck size. Total testosterone was positively associated with exercise (r=0.271, p=0.000).
Conclusion: Low concentration of total testosterone was associated with low level of physical activity.
Key words: Sex steroids, life style, testosterone
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