I don't make resolutions any more, having broken far too many over the years, but perhaps one we should consider for 2008 is to try to eat more healthily. We seem to hear endless reports about the growing problem of obesity, and now apparently we're told that eating badly is killing 70,000 of us every year.
What may be more relevant to anyone trying to get pregnant is a Dutch study that concluded that a woman's chances of getting pregnant decreased in direct relation to how overweight she was. Women who were seriously overweight were found to be 45% less likely to get pregnant than those within normal weight ranges. It's important to understand that these conclusions were only relevant for women with real weight problems, and not for curvy women who wanted to lose the odd half stone.
Eating healthily doesn't mean dieting unless you start out with a weight problem, and it shouldn't be an unpleasant chore. Anyone trying to get pregnant, or going through fertility treatment, may improve their wellbeing and chances of success by following a healthy eating regime and making sure they are getting all the essential vitamins and nutrients their bodies need.
Hi Kate,
ReplyDeleteI too no longer make resolutions - but I do try and set myself 'plans of attack' for things that I want to change or achieve during the year. It doesn't seem as destined to fail that way.
The Dutch study you mention is very interesting... do you have a link you can point me too?
Even a 5% weight loss can improve your health, and therefore your fertility. That's what I am aiming for - 5% sounds achievable and not so daunting. I think I will take it 5% at a time.
Recently, Adam Balen, professor of reproductive medicine and surgery at Leeds (who sits on the board of PCOS UK) published a report in the BMJ regarding obesity and fertility. This paragraph is a bit scary in the picture it paints, but also works as as a kick in the butt (for me atleast!)
"Overweight mothers are more likely than others to have hypertension and thromboembolism, leading to a higher risk of maternal mortality. In 2000-2, of the 261 deaths reported to the UK Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Health, 78 women (35%) were obese, compared with 23% of women in the general population, and of these more than a quarter had a body mass index greater than 35."
One of the ladies on our Discussion Board kindly posted the entire report, which you can read there.
Here is another report, on PCOS and infertility that some of your readers may be interested in.
Enjoying the blog!
Rachel
Chair, Verity
Thanks for that Rachel, and for the helpful links and information. There's a report on the BBC website on the Dutch study here
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