Increased fitness improves fertility in obese women
12 September 2003
Improving fitness rather than weight loss is better for improving fertility in obese women, according to a reproductive health specialist.
Professor Rob Norman, head of the reproductive medicine unit at the University of Adelaide, said that evidence from his 'Fertility Fitness' programme showed that increased fitness and minor weight loss increased women's chances of conceiving without further intervention.
The programme has been running in Adelaide for 10 years.
Professor Norman said, 'We have had about 600 women coming through the programme.
'Each week, they saw a dietitian, a psychologist and a fitness instructor. Over 60 per cent of the women got pregnant spontaneously or needed very little assistance in getting pregnant, which led us to believe that it was not weight that was so important, but how fit they were.'
Increased fitness also reduced the risk of miscarriage, diabetes and high blood pressure during pregnancy, Professor Norman said, adding that women could begin a reasonable diet and fitness regime about 2 to 4 months before they would like to become pregnant.
Last Reviewed: 12 September 2003
- 1. Medical Observer Weekly 12/9/03
