Recently, 108 Military Central Hospital recorded a significant increase in the number of children visiting the Andrology Department due to obesity-related problems, typically buried penis and small testicles.
Dr. Bui Dang Ngoc, Department of Andrology, 108 Central Military Hospital, said that along with the remarkable economic progress that Vietnam has achieved in recent decades, a worrying consequence is the increase in health problems related to modern lifestyles, in which obesity is emerging as a significant challenge to public health.
Childhood obesity is not simply a matter of weight gain but also affects physical development, especially the reproductive system. Some common male diseases in obese children include:
Undescended testicles: A condition in which the testicles do not descend into the scrotum can become more common in obese children because a thick layer of abdominal fat interferes with natural development.
Reduced testosterone production: Obesity causes hormonal disorders, leading to reduced testosterone, affecting children's sexual development.
Phimosis: Excess fat increases the risk of infection and inflammation of the foreskin, causing phimosis and hindering personal hygiene.
Obesity is closely linked to buried penis in children. Basically, buried penis occurs when the penis is hidden under fat in the pubic area, making the penis appear shorter or less visible.
According to Dr. Bui Dang Ngoc, the mechanism by which obesity contributes to penile burying is the accumulation of excess fat: Obese children often have a thick layer of fat in the pubic area. This layer of fat covers the penis, making it look "buried" inside; Reduced skin elasticity: Obesity can reduce skin elasticity, making it difficult for the pubic skin to stretch and "release" the penis; Hormones: Obesity affects the hormone balance in the body, which can also contribute to penile burying.
The consequences of buried penis due to obesity are difficulty in urination, infection, and psychological effects.
"Obesity and male diseases in children not only affect current health but also leave long-term consequences for the future. Parents need to be aware of this danger and accompany their children in building a healthy lifestyle. Proper attention will help children have health and confidence to develop comprehensively," Dr. Ngoc recommends.
Statistics show a significant increase in obesity rates in Vietnam. One study noted that the obesity rate increased from 2.6% in 2010 to 3.6% in 2014, equivalent to a growth rate of 38%. Notably, obesity among school-age children (5-19 years old) increased sharply, from 8.5% in 2010 to 19% in 2020. Differences in obesity rates between regions were also noted, with the rate in urban areas (26.8%) higher than in rural areas (18.3%) and mountainous areas (6.9%). Statistics in 2021 also showed that Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City accounted for 18% of the total number of overweight and obese people nationwide.
