The impact of modifiable lifestyle factors on women's fertility

J Pak Med Assoc. 2024 May;74(5):972-975. doi: 10.47391/JPMA.7412.

Abstract

The current study centred on assessing the effect of various lifestyle factors (diet, physical activity [PA] level, sleep pattern, and stress level) on women's fertility. This hospitalbased comparative study was conducted at the Avicenna Medical College and Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, with 104 females (aged 18-40 years) as participants. Half the participants had a history of infertility and 51.8% had a BMI >25. About 43% and 85% reported intake of "junk food" and "fruit and vegetable (F&V)", respectively, twice a week. DASS-21 scale endorsed "moderate-to-high-stress" in 58% of the participants. Further, moderate and intense PAable was documented in 30% and 20% of the participants. About 37% reported sleeping for ≤5 hours/day. Fertility was significantly but inversely correlated with F&V intake, stress level, and BMI. Less sleep and a sedentary lifestyle had a significantly detrimental impact on fertility. Women's fertility was positively impacted by F&V intake, moderate PA, and adequate sleep but negatively impacted by obesity and mental stress.

Keywords: Fertility, Stress, Physical Activity, Sleep, BMI..

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Body Mass Index*
  • Diet*
  • Exercise*
  • Female
  • Fertility
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Female / epidemiology
  • Life Style*
  • Obesity / epidemiology
  • Pakistan / epidemiology
  • Sedentary Behavior
  • Sleep* / physiology
  • Stress, Psychological / epidemiology
  • Young Adult