Obesity is a chronic medical condition characterised by too much body-fat and according to WHO, 1.2 billion people worldwide are officially classified as overweight. As per a study published in the noted Lancet, India is just behind US and China in this global hazard list of top 10 countries with the highest number of obese people. This doesn't come as a surprise, right? After all, we are seized with junk food all around us!
“We are all aware that being obese is not healthy. It’s not a choice that one makes in life, contrary to popular belief. No one would want to suffer the problems caused by obesity. The reason for obesity can be anything from eating disorders to depression to lack of physical activities to hormonal imbalances etc. What is important is to take a step with determination and be a part of the fight against obesity,” said Dr Shobha Gupta, Medical Director and IVF Specialist from Mother’s Lap IVF centre.
The fertility issues caused by weight gain include irregular or infrequent menstrual cycles, increased risk of infertility, less success with fertility treatments, and increased risk of miscarriage. Obesity also increases the risks of high blood pressure and diabetes during the pregnancy. “I see at least 25 to 35 patients in a day coming to me for infertility, out of which 50 to 60% are obese. Current figures in New Delhi indicate that every second person fulfils criteria of obesity or has excess abdominal fat,” Gupta said. “Women who are obese are also at a greater risk for pregnancy complications like having a C-section, giving birth to a large baby or even developing gestational diabetes and hypertension,” Dr Shobha Gupta added.
Many women also undergo hormonal imbalance. “Many young girls complaint about irregular periods, skin acne and abnormal hair growth on their body which appear to be caused by a higher than normal production of male hormones,” said Dr Shweta Goswami, Gynecologist and IVF Expert from Jaypee Hospital, Noida. “If overweight girls with PCOS can lose up to 15 kg, they might resume their regular periods without medication. This would also improve their other PCOS related symptoms and also increases their chances of conceiving,” added Goswami.
