Lifestyle Intervention Shows Promise in Boosting Fertility for Women with Obesity
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A new study reveals that an interdisciplinary lifestyle program substantially improves diet, physical activity, and sedentary behavior in women with obesity and subfertility, offering a potential pathway to enhanced fertility outcomes.
The complex interplay between obesity and infertility, especially in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), is a growing concern. PCOS, a leading cause of anovulation – irregular or absent ovulation – affects 50%-75% of women with obesity in North America. With nearly 42% of US women living with obesity and 13.4% experiencing impaired fertility, addressing these interconnected issues is critical for both individual patients and public health. However, only 12.2% of women aged 15-49 currently utilize available infertility services, highlighting a important gap in care.
Addressing the Link Between Obesity and Infertility
Researchers developed the Obesity-Fertility program, a specialized women’s health fertility clinic, to address this challenge. Initial analyses demonstrated the program’s positive impact on fertility rates. A recent secondary analysis, published in Clinical Nutrition ESPEN in May 2025, delved deeper into the behavioral changes experienced by program participants.
“The available literature shows that those living with obesity have increased barriers to fertility and accessing treatments available to the general population,” one study author noted, referencing research published in the International Journal of Gynecology & obstetrics. “Obesity must be addressed as a potentially conquerable barrier to fertility.”
Program Details and Findings
“This study shows that the Obesity-Fertility lifestyle program, which is based on motivational interviewing and coaching by a trained dietitian and kinesiologist, is effective in improving lifestyle behaviors in women with obesity seeking fertility care, with a trend toward improved functional exercise capacity,” the authors concluded.
future Directions and implications
Researchers are now focused on scaling the Obesity-Fertility program and streamlining access to resources that support these crucial lifestyle changes. future studies will explore the long-term sustainability of these improvements and their broader impact on reproductive health.
“Our results show that the Obesity-Fertility lifestyle program can significantly improve diet quality, physical activity level, and sedentary time, in addition to anthropometric measures and fertility outcomes, as previously reported,” the authors stated. “Therefore, such programs can support women with obesity and subfertility to adopt healthier lifestyle behaviors.”
References
- St-laurent A, Belan M, Jean-Denis F, et al. An interdisciplinary intervention improves lifestyle behaviours in women living with obesity and subfertility: a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2025;68:457-464. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2025.05.036
- Overweight & obesity statistics. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. September 2021. Accessed November 10, 2025. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/overweight-obesity
- Infertility. CDC. March 17, 2025. Accessed November 10, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/infertility.htm
- Gautam D,Purandare N,Maxwell CV,et al. The challenges of obesity for fertility: a literature review. IJGO.2023;160(S1):50-55. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijgo.14538
