Weight loss doesn't increase pregnancy chances: Study

 Weight-loss program did not make women more fertile or improve birth outcomes compared with simply exercising.

Washington: A new study has found that there are no fertility benefits from weight loss. The findings of the study were published in the journal ‘PLOS Medicine’. A randomized study of 379 women with obesity and unexplained infertility found that intensive lifestyle changes that shed pounds led to no better chances of pregnancy and healthy births than simply increasing physical activity without weight loss.

"We have known for decades that obese women often have difficulty getting pregnant," said researcher Daniel J. Haisenleder, PhD, of the University of Virginia School of Medicine`s Center for Research in Reproduction.

"For this reason, many physicians advise weight loss prior to conception. However, there are few studies that have addressed the issue comparing a healthy lifestyle -- i.e., exercise -- vs. exercise plus weight loss."

The FIT-PLESE study, conducted at nine academic medical centres across the country, divided participants into two groups: Half the women dieted intensely using meal replacements, medications and increased physical activity. The other half simply increased their physical activity without trying to lose weight.

After completing the programs, both groups received three rounds of standard infertility treatments.