Weight loss intervention to improve fertility Version 3
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A pilot trial to test the feasibility of delivering a weight loss intervention for improving fertility in women with a BMI > 30 and their partners.
IRAS ID
262510
Contact name
Gertraud Stadler
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Aberdeen
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 5 months, 6 days
Research summary
One in seven couples in Scotland experiences difficulties conceiving a baby. Fertility problems can affect both partners and cause distress and depression. NHS Scotland funds fertility treatment, but access is restricted to couples where the woman trying to conceive is not obese, i.e., she has a Body Mass Index (BMI) under 30. Higher weight is associated with menstrual cycle irregularities, longer time to conception and increased risk of miscarriage. Weight loss is recommended, however, losing weight is difficult and time consuming. Often, women fail to reach the weight limits or weight loss takes so long that they miss out on treatment due to age restrictions; any delay in fertility treatment impacts on its success. Research reviews have shown that a couple-based intervention that includes both partners may be better for weight loss than interventions where one person alone tries to loose weight. However, to date there have been no studies of couple-based weight loss interventions in the UK within or outwith the fertility context. This study aims to find out if it is feasible to deliver a 12-week weight loss programme to expedite weight loss and improve fertility in women with a BMI over 30 and their partners. Eligible couples must have fertility problems, both partners 18 years or older, and the woman trying to conceive must have a BMI of 30-40kg/m2. Participants will be allocated to one of three groups: access to a weight loss programme for both partners, access to a weight loss programme for the woman seeking pregnancy only, or a usual care control group. All couples will meet with the research team at the beginning and at 12 weeks for questionnaires, weight assessments, and interviews. If the intervention is feasible, we will evaluate it in a future multi-centre randomised controlled trial.
REC name
Wales REC 6
REC reference
19/WA/0196
Date of REC Opinion
30 Jul 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion