Research brief: Weight loss is not the answer to fertility struggles

New research published in January 2022 shows that weight loss is not the successful intervention for unexplained infertility that it is touted to be for folks in larger bodies.

In reading through the paper, the researchers were very clear in stating that this is not necessarily a new finding; prior studies have shown that weight loss interventions do not consistently help folks have healthy pregnancies, whether through diet or bariatric surgery. In fact, the researchers highlight potential risks such as pregnancy loss from preconception caloric restriction, and small for gestational age among women who had undergone bariatric surgery.

The researchers had the goal of improving the healthfulness of their weight loss intervention, but still utilized major caloric restriction and prescribed a drug that decreases fat absorption (fat is necessary for hormone production and for the absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K). The control group received only physical activity and no nutrition counseling.

While the weight loss group did lose on average 7% body weight and saw some improvements in metabolic outcomes compared to the physical activity only group, there were no differences in pregnancy or live birth rates between groups.

As a fat positive fertility dietitian, this does not surprise me in the slightest.

So, why is this important?? "Just lose weight" is the primary advice my clients in larger bodies receive when they consult their doctors about fertility struggles. This is unfair, not evidence based, and potentially harmful. Share this paper with your doctor the next time you're given a hard time about your weight while TTC.

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What if instead we provided nutrition, movement and lifestyle counseling WITHOUT weight loss as a goal? What if we honored biological diversity, and actually supported folks in all sized bodies with evidence based interventions?

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This is exactly what I do for my clients in my group program Fully Nourished Pregnancy. You deserve access to body positive nutrition for fertility and pregnancy. Click here to enroll today!