It's no secret that obesity is hazardous to health. Men pay an extra price for excess weight, since obesity takes a special toll on male hormones, sexuality, and prostate health, reports the March 2011 issue of Harvard Men’s Health Watch.

Here are some of the ways that can affects a man's health:

Less testosterone: Obesity lowers testosterone levels, which can affect muscle function and heart health.

Erectile dysfunction: Men who are obese are more likely to experience erectile dysfunction (ED) than men with healthy weights. Weight loss can improve erectile function for overweight men.

Fertility: Obesity has been linked to low sperm counts and reduced sperm motility, both of which can make a man less fertile.

Kidney stones: Obese men are more likely than men with healthy weights to develop kidney stones, which are typically very painful.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate): The prostate gland often enlarges with age. The prostate tends to enlarge more in men who are overweight.

Prostate cancer: Obesity changes the metabolism of sex hormones. Some studies have shown that extra body fat increases a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer.

Shedding excess pounds is hard, but possible, notes the Harvard Men’s Health Watch. The proven method is to adjust your diet to take in fewer calories and ramp up your exercise to burn off more calories.

Read the full-length article: "Obesity: Unhealthy and unmanly"