Researchers conducted a series of psychological tests on 47 boys, with an average age of 16, who were undergoing evaluation for the condition, called gynecomastia. The same tests were given to a control group of boys without the disorder.
Among the boys with gynecomastia, 62% had mild to moderate breast enlargement and 64% were overweight or obese, compared with 41% of those in the control group.
Compared to those in the control group, the boys with gynecomastia had lower scores for general health, social functioning, mental health and self-esteem. This was true even for boys with mild gynecomastia, according to the study.
The findings show the need for early intervention and treatment, study author Dr Brian Labow and colleagues at Boston Children's Hospital said in a journal news release. In certain cases, breast-reduction surgery may be an appropriate treatment, they said.
The researchers added that further research is needed to evaluate the physical and mental health effects of breast-reduction surgery on teens with gynecomastia.
Breast enlargement is common in adolescent boys and resolves over time in most cases. The problems persist in about 8% of boys, however, the researchers said.
More information
The MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia has more about gynecomastia.
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