Doctors warn the GCC! Obesity and an unhealthy lifestyle is adding to infertility

According to specialists of a leading fertility treatments clinic in the Middle East – IVI Fertility, Abu Dhabi, Vitamin D deficiency, Consanguinity and Obesity (caused by poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle) have emerged as the major reasons that the region’s rate of infertility is higher than that of the West.

It comes as no surprise that there is a high prevalence of obesity particularly in the GCC including Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, which has arisen from rapid regional economic advancement resulting in increased food access, consumption, and lifestyle changes, sedentary lifestyle, family history, urbanization, and

high-calorie diets.

“Today, infertility is globally acknowledged to be a major health problem but its causes here are really very specific. I believe that if you address the root cause, your chances of treating the problem successfully are much higher," said Prof Dr. Human Fatemi, Medical Director of IVI Middle East Fertility Clinic. The clinic is part of the largest global institution for infertility treatments with over 70 clinics and 160,000 babies born worldwide. The clinic not just helps couples overcome infertility in the geographies it operates in, it is also responsible for furthering and advancing the science with innovative groundbreaking research and treatments which the world follows.

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“It is estimated that infertility affects 15 percent of the global population of reproductive age, but this percentage is even higher in the GCC," added Dr. Laura Vidales, IVF Specialist, IVI Fertility, Abu Dhabi clinic.

Prof Fatemi’s clinic collaborated with Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece on a study of fertility in the Gulf, which was published in the international journal Fertility and Sterility.

The study aims to bring to light the region-specific causes of this growing medical condition we term infertility and how obesity, vitamin D and marriage within the family, affects fertility. The study clearly highlighted that hormonal abnormalities and ovulation dysfunction were associated with obesity.

“Our lifestyle has changed completely in this part of the world in the past 30 to 40 years. Fifty years ago, there was no air conditioning and now people are inside all the time,” said Prof Dr. Fatemi on why obesity is increasing at such an alarming rate in the Middle East. He also informed that if one’s body mass index (BMI) is higher than 29, the receptivity of the uterus declines, the chromosomal formation of the eggs also decline.

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An elevated BMI can cause hormonal abnormalities, ovulation dysfunction, menstrual irregularities, anovulation, and low conception rates. Also overweight women have an increased chance of a cesarean section for delivery.

In men, obesity is associated with low testosterone levels. In severely obese man, reduced sperm production (spermatogenesis) related with severe hypotestosteronemia (Low abnormal concentration of testosterone) may favor infertility. Moreover, the occurrence of erectile dysfunction increases with increasing BMI.

Experts suggest that overweight women undergoing IVF treatment are significantly more likely to respond inadequately to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and to fail in achieving pregnancy compared with non-obese women. Increased BMI is also associated with a greater need for fertility hormones such as gonadotropins, lower pregnancy rates (PRs), fewer eggs, and higher miscarriage rates amongst women undergoing assisted reproductive technique (ART). A reduction in endometrial (uterine lining) quality represents a further outcome which can compound the effect of obesity on fertility.

The foremost treatments for obesity and weight-loss are regular exercise and dieting. These help restore ovulatory function and reduce the rate of miscarriage in obese women who are facing infertility. A multidisciplinary approach to weight management is important. This includes the initial assessment of infertility and BMI, emphasis on the importance of lifestyle change, education about proper diet, exercise and behavior modification. A more holistic approach to obesity and reproductive health may help increase the chance of conception.