New Delhi: The success of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) relies heavily on the weight and lifestyle choices of an individual. Traditionally, weight management has always been associated with handling the Body Mass Index (BMI). The higher the BMI, the lower the chances of success, and vice versa. For the same reason, many fertility clinics in India have included weight management as part of the IVF treatment process. In recent years, it has come to light that not just the BMI but fat distribution around the waistline may also have a crucial role in determining the success of the IVF process. This finding is crucial for India’s fertility landscape, where rising obesity rates are increasingly linked to fertility struggles.
In an interaction with News9Live, Dr Sonal Chouksey, Fertility and IVF Specialist at Birla Fertility and IVF, spoke about how BMI and belly fat affect IVF outcomes.
Decoding the link between waistline and fertility
BMI is a ratio derived from weight and height. It provides a general sense of whether a person is healthy or not. However, it does not provide any details about the person’s fat distribution in the body. Therefore, a person may have a healthy BMI but still may have excessive visceral fat around delicate internal organs like the liver, pancreas, and intestines. This fat is the most harmful kind as compared to subcutaneous fat as it is found deep within the abdominal cavity.
Visceral fat can disrupt hormone levels, impair insulin sensitivity, and increase inflammation, altogether lowering the chance of successful conception. Fat in the abdominal region can also increase the androgen levels, a hormone that can disrupt ovulation. Furthermore, this kind of fat can also create an inflammatory environment in the body, making it difficult for eggs to mature and for embryos to successfully implant in the uterus. Some research also suggests that women with a higher waist-to-hip weight ratio have a higher rate of miscarriage.
The growing fertility concern in India
India is facing an obesity crisis. In the past few years, obesity has become an epidemic and will soon become a pandemic if stringent measures are not taken to manage it. The National Family Health Survey suggests that obesity in Indian women has steadily increased, especially in urban areas where sedentary lifestyles and poor dietary habits are more common. Increasing obesity is cited as a major factor in fertility issues. As a result, experts are redirecting their focus from BMI alone to fat distribution to treat fertility issues, including during the IVF process. The shift in the treatment process is also important due to the rising prevalence of health concerns like PCOS.
How to navigate the situation
Both BMI and waistline fat can impact fertility outcomes, which makes it important to manage both. Women preparing to conceive, either naturally or through IVF, need to focus on both weight management and reduction of visceral fat. Fortunately, visceral fat is easy to lose and responds to the same lifestyle changes as weight loss. Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, managing stress levels, and limiting alcohol intake are some of the ways to burn visceral fat.
As India’s fertility treatment landscape continues to evolve, there’s growing recognition that, to conceive, several factors need to be taken into consideration apart from the number on the scale. By having a better understanding of how waistline fat affects IVF outcomes, women can navigate the journey more effectively and improve their chances of successful conception.
The recent findings on obesity and its updated guidelines have forced many to rethink the way one thinks about own health. Turns out, IVF is no different when it comes to obesity. Health News Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
