Childhood obesity before 12 years of age appears to increase the risk of female infertility in later life

2018 Study Abstract

Objective
To evaluate whether childhood obesity is associated with infertility in women’s reproductive-aged life.

Design
Prospective longitudinal study.

Setting
Not applicable.

Intervention(s)
None.

Patient(s)
A total of 1,544 girls, aged 7–15 years in 1985, and who completed questionnaires at follow-up in 2004-2006 and/or 2009-2011.

Main Outcome Measure(s)
Infertility was defined as having difficulty conceiving (had tried for ≥12 months to become pregnant without succeeding) or having seen a doctor because of trouble becoming pregnant.

Result(s)
At ages from 7–11 years, girls at both the lower and upper end of the body mass index (BMI) z score had increased risk of infertility. Compared with normal weight girls, those with obesity at ages 7–11 years were more likely in adulthood to report infertility (adjusted relative risk [aRR] = 2.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.48–5.84), difficulty conceiving (aRR = 3.89, 95% CI 1.95–7.77), or having seen a doctor because of trouble becoming pregnant (aRR = 3.65, 95% CI 1.90–7.02) after adjusting for childhood age, follow-up length, highest parental education, and marital status.

Conclusion(s)
Childhood obesity before 12 years of age appears to increase the risk of female infertility in later life.