NEW ORLEANS — Overweight is a significant risk factor for poor in vitro fertilization success rates, particularly in African American women, according to the results of a new study.
“It is highly recommended that patients be encouraged to lose weight,” advised Dr. Mohamed Mitwally, who presented the findings at the annual meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
There is conflicting evidence in the literature regarding the impact of obesity on in vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates, said Dr. Mitwally of Wayne State University, Detroit. But many previous studies have not controlled for confounding risk factors, he said.
His study analyzed 193 consecutive patients undergoing IVF, 161 white and 32 black patients. After controlling for confounding factors, patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 kg/m