Comparison of Food intake, physical activity and weight in infertile and healthy women aged 25-40 years

Infertility is one of the major health problem in different communities. A considerable part of infertility is related to environmental factors and is preventable. According to the prevalence of infertility in iran, and the role of life-style related factors such as: dietary pattern, exercise and weight management in causing reproductive problems, this study was performed with aim to compare food intake, physical activity and weight of infertile women and healthy women aged 25-40 years. This descriptive and analytic study was performed on 144 infertile women and 144 healthy women referred to Vali-Asr Fertility Research Center, Tehran Gynecology Hospital, and Health Center of East Tehran during 2013 to 2014. General information, dietary intake and physical activity were collected through interviews. Anthropometric measurements were recorded. Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 16) and using T- test, Chi-square test and logistic regression. P Mean weight was 69.01±11.29 kg and 64.48±7.95 kg in infertile and healthy women, respectively. Mean weight (P= 0.007) and body mass index (P = 0.009) were significantly different between two groups. The duration of daily physical activity in infertile women was less than healthy women, and mainly had light activity, but, there was no significant difference between two groups (P>0.05). Intake of calorie (P= 0.027), protein (P=0.008), carbohydrate (P< 0.001), selenium (P = 0.004), zinc (P<0.001), and vitamin C (P=0.019) were more in infertile women than healthy women. Total fat (P= 0.04), vitamin E (P=0.038) and iron (P<0.001) intake was higher in healthy women than infertile women. After adjusting for confounding factor (consumed energy), only carbohydrate intake was significant between two groups (P<0.05). lack of physical activity and extra calorie intake are of the causes of obesity. Since the frequency of overweight and obesity in infertile women was 2.2 times more than healthy women, it seems that proper nutrition and exercise can play a role in the prevention and treatment of infertility.