Females struggling to get pregnant should aim to lose weight around their waist after a new study has revealed that a woman’s risk of infertility increases by three per cent for every extra centimetre she has around her waist.
Plublished in jounral Plos One, research has found that women with a bigger waist are more at risk of experiencing fertility complications.
During the study, a team of academics examined the health data of 3,200 women living in America.
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As part of the trial, each participant also provided information on their fertility history and how often they exercise.
The results highlight an association between a higher waist circumference and fertility complications.
According to the findings, the participants whose waists measured 160cm and above were most at risk of being infertile.
Meanwhile, the women who had a waist circumference of 60cm were less at risk of being infertile, the study has reported.
The participants with a waist circumference over 113.5cm could reduce their infertility risk by completing ‘moderate recreational activities’.
Moderate activity makes you break a sweat, breathe faster and it raises your heart rate. Moderate-intensity activities include brisk walking.
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The authors said: “Waist circumference is a positive predictor of female infertility, independent of BMI.
“Women trying to conceive may increase their chances of getting pregnant by monitoring their waist circumference and engaging in moderate recreational activities.”
Data shows that most women in the UK have an average waist size of 89cm, but this figure is on the rise due to skyrocketing obesity rates.
Individuals with a larger waist are also more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer, prior research has identified.
