Weight Loss Promotes Fertility in Obese Women
Women are having children later in life than ever before, but many are having problems conceiving. Obesity is a contributing factor linked to fertility problems, menstrual abnormalities, miscarriage and complications during pregnancy. A study on obese women with fertility problems, led by Georgia Becker from the School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil, found that weight loss promoted egg development and pregnancy rate. Twenty-six obese, infertile women consumed a low-calorie, low-carbohydrate diet for 12 weeks. Bodyweight, body mass index, percent fat and waist-to-hip ratio decreased by approximately 18 percent. Obese or overweight women should try weight loss to improve fertility before resorting to fertility drugs. (American Journal Clinical Nutrition, 102: 1365-1372, 2015)