By David Liu

Saturday April 28, 2012 (foodconsumer.org) -- A review study released recently in the journal Obesity says that obesity reduces sexual functioning both in men and women.

Ronette L. Kolotkin from Obesity and Quality of Life Consulting in Durham, NC and colleagues reviewed eleven population-based studies, 20 cross-sectional nonpopulation based studies and 16 weight loss studies and found the conclusions are consistent that obesity reduced sexual functional.

In most population based studies, men with obesity  were found more likely than men with normal body weight to experience erectile dysfunction (ED). And clinical studies of high degree obesity often showed association between obesity and lower levels of sexual functioning, particularly ED.

Studies of both men and women often reported more problems among women.  Most patients with obesity related health problems were found more likely to have reduced sexual functioning.

On the other hand, most studies on weight loss and sexuality showed that weight loss improved sexual functioning or sex regardless of how the body weight was lost.