Clinical Edge Journal Scan

LARCs prompt increase in body mass index among adolescents


 

Key clinical point: Use of progestin-releasing long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) was linked to weight gain in nulliparous adolescents aged 14-19 years; 25% of the study population was obese, and significant interaction effect ( P = .017) showed a greater increase in BMI in this subset of participants who used an LARC compared to a copper intrauterine device (IUD).

Major finding: The mean change in body mass index among teen girls who used LARC was an increase of 0.73 kg/m 2; BMI increases averaged 0.92 kg/m 2 for those who used an etornogestrel subdermal implant plus levonorgestrel intrauterine device (LNG-IUD) and 0.37 kg/m 2 in those who used a copper IUD.

Study details : The data come from a retrospective cohort study of 196 adolescents aged 14-19 years who underwent placement of long-acting reversible contraceptive devices.

Disclosures: The study received no outside funding. The researchers had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Source: Scott N et al. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2021 Aug 10. doi: 10.1016/j.jpag.2021.08.004.

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