The association between sedentary behavior and infertility: a population-based cross-sectional observational...

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Epidemiology
• Genetics

Background:

• Sedentary behavior is increasingly prevalent, yet its impact on female infertility remains unclear.
• Existing research presents conflicting evidence, necessitating robust investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between sedentary behavior and infertility in women.
• To explore potential causal links using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 2904 female participants from the 2013-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
• Weighted multivariate logistic regression and Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were employed.
• Sensitivity analyses, including restricted cubic spline (RCS) curves and MR-Egger regression, were conducted.

Main Results:

• Logistic regression showed no statistically significant association between daily sitting time and infertility (OR=1.03, P=0.066).
• Mendelian randomization analyses revealed no significant causal relationship between genetically predicted sedentary behavior (leisure screen time, commuting, work) and infertility.
• Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these null findings.

Conclusions:

• This study found no statistically significant evidence supporting an association between sedentary behavior and infertility.
• Further large-scale prospective studies are recommended to definitively explore this relationship.