Worldwide obesity rates are climbing at dramatic rates. Now, a new report suggests that this may be having a major impact on male sexual function, as the number of men who experience erectile dysfunction and infertility is quickly growing.

The report, which was authored by University of Copenhagen researchers, cites some chilling statistics. More than 10 percent of couples worldwide are infertile. Additionally, one in five men between the ages of 18 and 25 has poor quality semen. Furthermore, the number of men with low testosterone and erectile dysfunction is growing.

Researchers said that the dramatic increase in male sexual function problems in the last several decades indicates that environmental factors are most likely to blame, rather than genetic causes.

“We need a common strategy to target research so we can address the poor state of men’s reproductive health,” said Niels Skakkebaek, lead author of the report. “That this decrease in male reproductive health has occurred in just a few decades suggests it’s caused by environmental and lifestyle factors rather than genetics. So it is preventable if we correctly identify the causes.”
He speculated that the growing obesity rate may be one of the main contributors to the problem.