Obesity in Infertile Women, a Cross-Sectional Study of the United States Using NSFG 2011-2019

Reproductive health can be affected by obesity through various mechanisms. Obesity-associated inflammatory markers and altered hormones can have direct and indirect impacts on female reproductive health. However, little is known about obesity prevalence and trend among infertile women and obesity association with infertility in reproductive-age women of the U.S. In a cross-sectional study, we sought to conduct a secondary analysis of National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) data from 2011 to 2019. A total of 6,035 infertile and non-pregnant fecund women aged 20-44 years were included in a nationally representative sample of the U.S. The weighted prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥ 30) among infertile women was 41.63% for the period 2011-2019. Obese women had 62% higher odds of infertility (95% CI 1.24, 2.17) compared to non-obese women of reproductive age (20-44 years). However, there was no specific trend of obesity among infertile and non-pregnant fecund women aged 20-44 years in the U.S. from 2011 to 2019. Given the negative impact of obesity on female reproductive health and in light of our results, it is important to counsel obese infertile reproductive-age women of the U.S. about behavioral changes that include weight management. Future longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate the risk of infertility among obese women.