Evaluating the impact of obesity on the healthy life style behaviors of infertile women

It is well known that obesity and infertility are strongly associated and obesity impairs the fertility potential. The present study aims to evaluate the impact of obesity on healthy life style behaviors of infertile women. This observational and descriptive study was conducted in a cohort of 317 infertile women who were aged between 18 and 40 years and who were admitted to the out-patient department between 1 January 2018 and 1 November 2018. Study data were collected by using standardized questionnaires in face-to-face interviews. These pre-prepared questionnaires included sociodemographic characteristics, body mass indices (BMI), laboratory findings and Healthy Life Style Behavior Scales (HLSBS). Collected data were analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25.0 and two-tailed p values<0.05 were accepted to be statistically significant. The duration of infertility increased significantly in parallel with the gradual increase in BMI values which could be grouped as lean (17.7±0.6 kg/m2), normal (22.2±1.7 kg/m2), overweight (27.3±1.4 kg/m2) and obese (33.4±3.4 kg/m2). Although there was no significant differnce in HLSBS scores with respect to BMI groups, there were significant and negative correlations between BMI values and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels and BMI values and prolactin levels. Since obesity impairs fertility, BMI values of the infertile couples should be taken into account. Moreover, collaboration with nurses and dieticians should be provided to increase therapeutic efficiency in couples affected by obesity.