Background: Early-onset androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common cause of alopecia in men under 30 years of age; however, its prevalence and non-genetic risk factors are not well documented. The aim of our study was to determine the early-onset AGA prevalence and to evaluate its relationship with lifestyle and dietary habits.
Methods: This study was conducted on 1507 male university students aged 18-30 years. Students with AGA were grouped as mild and moderate-severe according to the Hamilton-Norwood classification. They were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding information about lifestyle and dietary habits including the Adolescent Food Habits Checklist (AFHC) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short form.
Results: The prevalence of early-onset AGA was 19.2% in the students. Each year over the 18 years age, positive family history, unhealthy vegetable-fruit and red meat consumption, presence of a hair disease apart from AGA and smoking were associated with increased risk for early-onset AGA. The median score of AFHC was lower than those without early-onset AGA which reflects the unhealthy dietary habit. Students with moderate-severe AGA had a higher body mass index and waist circumference than those with mild AGA (P<0.05).
Conclusions: In addition to family history, lifestyle and dietary habits have roles in early-onset AGA. Therefore, regulation of lifestyle and dietary habits may have a possible contribution in the prevention of early-onset AGA.