Association of childhood obesity with female infertility in adulthood: a 25-year follow-up study

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate whether childhood obesity is associated with infertility in women's reproductive-aged life. Design: Prospective longitudinal study. Setting: Not applicable. Intervention(s): None. Patient(s): A total of 1,544 girls, aged 7–15 years in 1985, and who completed questionnaires at follow-up in 2004-2006 and/or 2009-2011. Main Outcome Measure(s): Infertility was defined as having difficulty conceiving (had tried for ≥12 months to become pregnant without succeeding) or having seen a doctor because of trouble becoming pregnant. Result(s): At ages from 7–11 years, girls at both the lower and upper end of the body mass index (BMI) z score had increased risk of infertility. Compa..