Prevalence of obesity and outcome of weight loss on reproduction: A study among women attending infertility clinic in Zaria, Northern Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: Obesity is rising in the developing countries because of changing life style, and this has its burden on fertility and its management. This study determined the prevalence of obesity and clinical correlation of obesity with menstrual abnormalities, as well as the rate of spontaneous conception among obese infertile women on nonsurgical weight loss therapy. Methodology: A cross-sectional longitudinal study was done among women that presented with infertility to the gynecology clinic. The main outcomes measured were percentage of infertile women that are obese, menstrual pattern of these women, and spontaneous conception among obese infertile women following weight loss therapy. Results: Of the 205 patients, 68 (33.2%) were found to be obese; there was a significant association between obesity and abnormal menstrual pattern (P = 0.0002). Oligomenorrhea and hypomenorrhea were also found to be significantly associated with obesity (P = 0.009 and P = 0.022, respectively). Following average of 12-month follow up, spontaneous conception among obese infertile women while on weight loss therapy was 21.1%. Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity was high with a significant association between obesity and menstrual abnormalities. Weight loss among obese infertile women led to improvement in spontaneous conception.