Risk Factors for Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

January 2026 in “ BMC Public Health ”

Haoyang Li, Wenzhen Li, Jiaxian Zhang, Qihong Liang, Yingjie Zhao, Zehong Guo, Botian Jiang, Zhan Wang, Qian Qu, Shengli An, Yong Miao

androgenetic alopecia AGA family history smoking alcohol consumption poor sleep quality overweight obesity hypertension insulin resistance fasting insulin levels male pattern baldness

TLDR Family history, smoking, alcohol, poor sleep, obesity, and insulin issues increase the risk of hair loss.

This systematic review and meta-analysis analyzed 31 studies involving 11,224 androgenetic alopecia (AGA) cases and 36,825 controls to identify risk factors for AGA. It found significant associations between AGA and factors such as family history, smoking, alcohol consumption, poor sleep quality, overweight/obesity, hypertension in men, insulin resistance, and elevated fasting insulin levels. Family history and smoking were linked to both the presence and progression of AGA, while paternal family history, insulin resistance, and high fasting insulin levels increased the risk of AGA presence. Alcohol consumption, poor sleep, and obesity were related to AGA progression. The study calls for further research into the mechanisms connecting these factors to AGA.

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