Abstract
This prospective survey study assessed the knowledge of reproductive outcomes that are affected by obesity among women in
an urban community. A total of 207 women attending a community fair on the south side of Chicago participated in the study.
A survey assessing knowledge of BMI and of the effects of obesity on general, cardiometabolic and reproductive health outcomes
was administered. Subjects ranged in age from 18 to 70 years (mean ± SD, 48.6 ± 12.9 years) and ranged in BMI from 17.3 to
52.1 kg/m2 (mean ± SD, 31.2 ± 6.7 kg/m2). The following percentages of women were aware that obesity increases the risk of miscarriage (37.5 %), irregular periods
(35.8 %), infertility (33.9 %), cesarean section (30.8 %), breast cancer (28.0 %), birth defects (23.7 %), stillbirth (14.1 %),
and endometrial cancer (18.1 %). This study found that while women in an urban community are aware of the cardiometabolic
risks associated with obesity, they demonstrate limited knowledge of the effects of obesity on reproductive outcomes. Public
education is needed to increase knowledge and awareness of the reproductive consequences of obesity. Women of reproductive
age may be uniquely responsive to obesity education and weight loss intervention.
an urban community. A total of 207 women attending a community fair on the south side of Chicago participated in the study.
A survey assessing knowledge of BMI and of the effects of obesity on general, cardiometabolic and reproductive health outcomes
was administered. Subjects ranged in age from 18 to 70 years (mean ± SD, 48.6 ± 12.9 years) and ranged in BMI from 17.3 to
52.1 kg/m2 (mean ± SD, 31.2 ± 6.7 kg/m2). The following percentages of women were aware that obesity increases the risk of miscarriage (37.5 %), irregular periods
(35.8 %), infertility (33.9 %), cesarean section (30.8 %), breast cancer (28.0 %), birth defects (23.7 %), stillbirth (14.1 %),
and endometrial cancer (18.1 %). This study found that while women in an urban community are aware of the cardiometabolic
risks associated with obesity, they demonstrate limited knowledge of the effects of obesity on reproductive outcomes. Public
education is needed to increase knowledge and awareness of the reproductive consequences of obesity. Women of reproductive
age may be uniquely responsive to obesity education and weight loss intervention.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-7
- DOI 10.1007/s10900-012-9609-1
- Authors
- Eden R. Cardozo, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 676 N. St. Clair, Suite 1845, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Tanaka J. Dune, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 676 N. St. Clair, Suite 1845, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Lisa M. Neff, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Maureen E. Brocks, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 676 N. St. Clair, Suite 1845, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Geraldine E. Ekpo, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 676 N. St. Clair, Suite 1845, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Randall B. Barnes, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 676 N. St. Clair, Suite 1845, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Erica E. Marsh, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 676 N. St. Clair, Suite 1845, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Journal Journal of Community Health
- Online ISSN 1573-3610
- Print ISSN 0094-5145