ESPE Abstracts

Background: Sex hormones are crucial for the growth and development of children and adolescents. Several studies have indicated the association between lifestyle factors and sex hormones in adulthood. However, few studies have assessed the association of lifestyle factors and sex hormones among children and adolescents. This study aim ed to assess the association between lifestyle factors and sex hormones in children and adolescents.

Methods: Children and adolescents aged 6 to 19 years (n = 3953) who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2016 were included. Lifestyle factors, including diet quality, physical activity and screen time were examined. Sex hormones, including total testosterone (TT), estradiol (E2), and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were measured. The free androgen index (FAI) was calculated as TT/SHBG, and the ratio of TT to E2 (TT/E2) was also calculated. Puberty status was defined as TT ≥ 50 ng/dL in males and E2 ≥ 20 pg/ml or the onset of menarche in females. Multiple linear regression was used to assess the association between lifestyle factors and sex hormones stratified by age (children: 6-11 years old; adolescent: 12-19 years old) and sex-puberty status (pubertal and prepubertal).

Results: Diet quality was inversely associated with TT, and physical activity was positively associated with SHBG in male children. In male adolescents and pubertal males, screen time was negatively associated with TT, while physical activity was significantly positively associated with TT. Among female children, screen time was positively associated with E2. In female adolescents and pubertal females, physical activity presented a negative association with FAI and a positive association with SHBG. Moreover, physical activity was positively associated with SHBG in prepubertal males. However, we did not observe the association of lifestyle factors with sex hormones in prepubertal females.

Conclusion: The impact of lifestyle factors on sex hormones in children and adolescents was influenced by age and sex. A healthy lifestyle may promote the appropriate secretion of sex hormones.