Physical Activity and Body Composition in Infertile and Fertile Women

Physical activity has multiple health benefits, but its association with fertility in women is still unknown. Considering the critical effects of lifestyle on reproductive health, this study aims to compare the physical activity and body composition of fertile and infertile women.

This is a case-control study that was performed on 100 fertile and 100 infertile women aged 20-40 years referred to the infertility treatment centers in Arak, Iran. they completed self-reported questionnaires surveying sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) assessing physical activity and sedentary behavior. Anthropometric characteristics and body composition were also measured. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the association of fertility with physical activity level, sedentary behavior, and body composition.

This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Arak University of Medical Sciences  (Code: IR.ARAKMU.REC.1400.050).

The level of physical activity (P=0.001) was lower and the body mass index (P=0.03) was higher in infertile women than in fertile women. In women with moderate level of physical activity, the risk of infertility was lower (OR=4.42, 95% CI: 1.60-12.99, P=0.004). Women who spent the time sitting for more than 300 minutes a day were 2.07 times more likely to have fertility than women who were physically active (OR=2.07, 95% CI: 1.36-3.14, P=0.001).

Low physical activity, sedentary lifestyle and obesity are independent risk factors of infertility. To prevent infertility, more attention should be paid to the lifestyle of women.