When it comes to conceiving we want to take a holistic approach to our health, and this also includes our weight. Having a “healthy weight range” can influence your overall chances of conceiving or not. While it remains a sensitive topic, it’s important to highlight the need to creating a healthy body. This is not about getting your ‘bikini body ready’. This is about creating a body that is “baby ready”. There are some women who fall outside of the so-called ‘healthy weight’ range who have no problems getting pregnant. But for women who are particularly overweight, falling pregnant can become challenging.
So what does ‘healthy weight’ mean? and how does it affect your fertility?
What is a healthy weight?
According to the Australian Department of Health, a healthy weight is determined by your Body Mass Index (BMI). This is a figure calculated using your height and weight, and a healthy range is between 18.5 and 24.9[1].
The J.D Robinson formula outlines the perfect weight as 49kg + 1.7kgs per every inch over five feet.
And just to confuse you some more, there are those who use your hip-to-waist ratio as a more accurate measure of body fat.
Still confused?
My point is that a healthy weight is debatable, and there are many different formulas for calculating a healthy fat percentage. Treat them as guidelines for figuring out what your healthy weight is, and remember, many of these formulas don’t take into account ethnicity, frame, bone density, muscle mass or pregnancy.
If you’re reading this and are concerned that your weight might be affecting your fertility, and have already been told this by your medical doctor, here’s your chance to empower yourself with the knowledge to tip the scales – literally – in your favour.
We are here to create awareness around total fertility health, and not to scare you about the dangers of obesity. In Australia, we’re lucky enough to have it drilled into us about the risks of heart disease, diabetes, back and joint problems, and many other conditions.
But here’s a fact that’s often not taught in high school health class: excess weight decreases your chances of conception, even if you’re undergoing IVF or another assisted fertility treatment. And women aren’t the only ones playing the role in this equation.
The knock-on effect
A dangerous body fat percentage – around 30% body fat and upwards, depending on whose guidelines you’re using – affects your fertility in a number of ways.
Hormones
Just as underweight women experience huge hormonal changes as a result of a low BMI, the same applies for overweight and obese women. When your body mass index goes past the overweight category (BMI of 25–29.9) and into the obese category (BMI of 30 and above), your hormones go haywire. The main hormonal changes include:
- A reduced sensitivity to the hunger-satiating hormone leptin;
- Insulin resistance. This is a major risk factor on the path to diabetes, affecting your fertility and creating abnormal menstrual cycles. Insulin resistance can lead to anovulation, which is when you release an egg later in your cycle;
- An imbalance in sex hormones;
- A decrease in the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), which tells your ovaries to release an egg ;
- An increase in androgens, which are male sex male hormones.
Increased miscarriage
Studies are inconclusive on what exactly makes a woman with a high BMI more likely to miscarriage. A few reasons could include the hormonal issues noted above, as well as the lower quality eggs being produced. But what we do know is that overweight women have decreased chances of carrying of a fetus to full term.
Obesity and men
Although much of the focus on obesity and infertility is on women, it absolutely affects men too. For men, obesity leads to a drop in testosterone, which can lead to infertility. On top of that, erectile dysfunction occurs at a higher rate among obese men.
Where there’s a will, there’s a way
Here’s another fact about obesity – it’s reversible! When you take control into your hands and take the steps towards living a healthier lifestyle, you’ll not only feel amazing, you’ll increase your chances of conceiving a healthy baby too.
Healthy and active bodies = healthy and active sperm
As you lose weight, the hormonal imbalances and other effects of obesity begin to decrease.
In one study, 90% of previously anovulatory obese women began ovulating again after they lost an average of 10kgs. In other words, when obese women lost weight, their menstrual cycles returned to normal.
If you need help with a weight-loss plan, talk to your doctor or other medical professional. In my book Body Baby ready there is a chapter dedicated to what to eat and drink throughout your cycle. There is also a section on fertility-enhancing foods, but it doesn’t address the precise nutritional requirements of someone looking to lose a lot weight.
If you would like to know more about how nutrition can influence your hormones, fertility and weight. We have qualified Practitioners who can assist you on your journey to creating a healthier, happier, you!
[1] Department of Health, ‘Are You a Healthy Weight?’. Retrieved December 8. 2016. http://healthyweight.health.gov.au/wps/portal/Home/get-started/are-you-a-healthy-weight/bmi/
Our founder, Dr Amanda Waaldyk, began her Angea practice in 2006. Amanda has a deep passion for Fertility and Women’s Health. Through Angea, Amanda has built a community of women who have band together, come out of isolation, shared and connected on their unique journeys. To book an appointment with Amanda or any of our wonderful practitioners please call 03 95103700.