According to a new study, losing weight has no effect on fertility. The study’s findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal ‘PLOS Medicine.’
In a randomized trial of 379 obese women with unexplained infertility, extensive lifestyle adjustments that resulted in weight reduction had no greater chances of pregnancy and good deliveries than merely increased physical activity without losing weight.
“We’ve known for decades that obese women have a hard time getting pregnant,” said University of Virginia School of Medicine researcher Daniel J. Haisenleder, Ph.D., of the Center for Research in Reproduction.
“As a result, many doctors recommend losing weight before getting pregnant. However, few studies have compared a healthy lifestyle — that is, exercise — to exercise plus weight loss.”
The FIT-PLESE trial, which took place at nine academic medical centers throughout the country, split individuals into two groups: half-used meal replacements, drugs, and increased physical exercise to lose weight. Without attempting to reduce weight, the other half just increased their physical activity.
Both groups got three rounds of conventional infertility treatments after finishing the programs.
Women who participated in the weight-loss program lost an average of 7% of their body weight, whereas those who merely exercised maintained their weight.
However, there were no significant differences in the frequency of healthy deliveries between the two groups in the end.
Overall, 23 of the 188 women who finished the 16-week intense weight-loss program gave birth, whereas 29 of the 191 women who completed the exercise-only program did.
However, the ladies who finished the intense dietary regimen reaped health advantages.
They noticed a significant reduction in metabolic syndrome, a group of illnesses that raises the risk of serious health issues such as diabetes, stroke, and heart disease.
Based on their findings, Haisenleder and his colleagues conclude that the weight-loss program did not enhance fertility or birth outcomes in women when compared to merely exercising.
They cautioned that the health advantages of losing weight may not necessarily transfer into an improved chance of becoming pregnant.
“In these people, losing weight improved their metabolic health. Regrettably, the observed modifications did not boost fertility “According to Haisenleder.
“Infertility in this group is still a major health concern, and additional research will be needed to address the issue.”
