| With the number of overweight people growing | | | | metres) by itself and then divide your weight (in |
| annually, obesity is fast becoming one of the biggest | | | | kilograms) by that number. For example, a woman |
| health challenges in the UK. Excessive weight gain and | | | | who is 1.68m tall and weighs 64kg will have a BMI of |
| obesity are widely associated with a number of | | | | 22.7: |
| serious health complications such as heart disease, | | | | 64/(1.68 x 1.68) = 22.7 |
| cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure. For women | | | | A BMI of between 19 and 25 is regarded as healthy. |
| who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant | | | | Anyone with a BMI of 25 or over should be tackling |
| these health problems may be even more | | | | their weight, especially if they are thinking about |
| pronounced. In addition, there is growing evidence | | | | becoming pregnant. |
| that excessive weight is linked to infertility and | | | | Getting fit and healthy in preparation for pregnancy |
| pregnancy health complications. | | | | will not only maximise your chances of conception, it |
| Being overweight can have a serious impact on a | | | | will also help you cope physically with pregnancy and |
| woman's fertility. High cholesterol levels can affect | | | | birth, and then get back to normal following birth. |
| the production of oestrogen in the body which can | | | | Being fit and healthy gives your baby the best start |
| disrupt the ovaries natural ovulation cycle and lead to | | | | in life. |
| infertility. Obesity or persistent weight is also a key | | | | Finding the right weight management solution will |
| cause of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), which | | | | require a permanent change to your lifestyle, including |
| can also prevent ovulation and cause infertility. | | | | the control of food intake and sensible, regular |
| Common symptoms include irregular or infrequent | | | | exercise. |
| menstrual cycles. | | | | Boot camps are a quick, tried and tested method for |
| Obesity is also linked to an increased risk of | | | | permanently tackling excessive weight and |
| miscarriage and congenital abnormalities to the | | | | kick-starting a new fit and healthy lifestyle. These |
| growing foetus in pregnancy. And the latest | | | | women-only residential programmes are becoming |
| Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths (published | | | | increasingly popular for women who find themselves |
| every three years in the UK) reported that a | | | | stuck in a rut and unable to manage their weight on |
| shocking 50% of women who died in pregnancy or | | | | their own. |
| immediately afterwards were found to be | | | | During four or seven days, women are physically |
| overweight. Studies have also shown that | | | | challenged with high and low intensity exercise by |
| overweight or obese women are less likely to | | | | ex-military fitness experts, while enjoying nutritionally |
| respond to fertility treatment due to excessive | | | | balanced meals, nutritional classes and health and |
| weight obstructing the absorption of fertility | | | | lifestyle management coaching. During this short, |
| enhancing drugs. | | | | intense period women drop at least a dress size and |
| As a result of these findings, midwives and doctors | | | | lose weight and inches, particularly around the waist. |
| now place a strong emphasis on optimising women's | | | | Their fitness, stamina, posture and confidence are |
| health prior to and during pregnancy. Many IVF clinics | | | | improved. Overall, women gain the knowledge and |
| have begun to refuse treating obese patients unless | | | | inspiration to positively change their lifestyles in the |
| they reduce their body mass index (BMI). Anyone | | | | long term. |
| with a BMI of over 25 is classed as overweight and | | | | Acknowledgement: Mr Daniel P Hay, Associate |
| anyone with a score of over 30 is classed as clinically | | | | Professor in Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of |
| obese. | | | | Nottingham for providing with clinical study |
| To calculate your BMI simply multiply your height (in | | | | information. |