Grant: Project Grant

Obesity in infertile women increases the costs of fertility treatments, reduces their effectiveness and increases significantly the risks of many complications of pregnancy for the mother and the newborn. In Canada, 44% of women of reproductive age (20 to 44 years) were reported as being overweight or obese. Many organisations have thus recommended that overweight/obese women should be assisted to adopt a healthy lifestyle prior to conception and maintain it during pregnancy. However, at this time, there is no integrated lifestyle modification program targeting this specific population in the Canadian health care system. In this context, the aim of this project is to conduct a multicenter randomized controlled trial assessing a lifestyle intervention in obese infertile women that continues throughout fertility treatments and pregnancy. The results of this study will provide data on the importance of lifestyle management for obese women consulting in fertility clinics, in order to improve their fertility as well as helping them to achieve a healthy pregnancy and to have a healthy baby. The findings of this project will be useful for several target groups: 1) Women with obesity and infertility will be aware on the impact of their lifestyle on their fertility and the health of their pregnancy and offspring; 2) Health professionals will be able to improve their quality of care towards obese women who wish to conceive; 3) Professional and public health associations will be able to inform their members and the population, and to develop practical tools that will be useful in promoting the adoption of healthy lifestyle in obese infertile women; 4) Healthcare system decision-makers will be able to rely on rigorous data to make informed decisions and thus promote and support the funding and implementation of obesity management programs in fertility clinics or in primary care across Canada.