Women with waist excess fat risk infertility – Researchers reveal

Last updated Dec 26, 2023

Data analysis carried out by researchers in the United States of America indicates that women with excess waist fat risk infertility.

Infertility is the inability to conceive after a year of having unprotected sex.

Waist fat also called visceral fat is a type of fat found deep within the abdominal cavity and occupies the space around the organs.

Women with larger waistlines are also at risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, a health portal.

Findings from the study, published in Daily Mail, stated that the researchers analysed data on 3,200 women in the US aged between 18 and 45.

The study found that a woman’s risk of infertility increases by three per cent for every extra centimetre she has around her waist.

It further revealed that women with a waist circumference of 60cm had the lowest infertility rates.

“Researchers analysed data on 3,200 women in the US aged between 18 and 45, who were asked about their fertility history and who provided information about their health and how much they exercised. Infertility was defined by women who answered ‘yes’ when asked if they had been trying to get pregnant for a year without any success. Analysis revealed that waist circumference was linked to infertility – for every 1cm increase, the risk of infertility increased by three per cent. Women who had a waist circumference of 60cm had the lowest infertility rates, while women whose waists measured 160cm and above were most likely to report infertility,” Daily Mail reported.

The study noted that moderate recreational activities including brisk walking, appeared to reverse the effect in women with a waist circumference of over 113.5cm.

Visceral fat is caused by eating more calories than one burn and engaging in a sedentary lifestyle.

Meanwhile, men with visceral fat are also at risk of infertility as another study confirmed.

The research, however, recommends lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise to reduce belly fat and weight.

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