IMPACT OF OBESITY ON FERTILITY AND HORMONAL BALANCE

Abstract

Obesity is a multi-factorial condition which is significantly rising worldwide. Obesity itself is a causative agent of many other diseases in both men and women such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, etc. Obesity is not gender or age specific, it can occur at any time period of life. Obesity is linked with physiological, hormonal, and reproductive dysfunction in both men and women. It can be genetic but mostly it occurs due to the laziness of people. People who sit idle and prefer to do nothing are most likely to get obese and such people develop many other diseases as obesity is the mother of other diseases. Alongside adulthood obesity, childhood obesity poses serious long- term health risks. Obesity is the accumulation of extra fats in body due to less physical activity and less expenditure of energy. Obesity also depends on dietary factors, the food we consume. Packed and processed food is the main cause of obesity. Besides these, high calorie food also plays its role in gaining weight. A diet focused on vegetables, whole grains, fruit, legumes, oil seeds, small blue fish and yoghurt can potentially prevent and cure most chronic degenerative diseases of the modern era. Obesity is main reason of reproductive dysfunction nowadays. Being overweight as a female can be harmful, as it could be the reason of miscarriage and infertility. Mostly fatty women are less likely to conceive, if she gets pregnant then obesity can create complexities for both mother and fetus. Poly cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is also the outcome of obesity. In men, obesity can cause impaired semen quality. To avoid obesity or excessive adipose tissues in body, one should take healthy and balanced diet with mild exercise, meditation and stretching. To get rid of obesity and its side effects, people are turning to herbal medications despite of bariatric surgery. These approaches improve energy expenditure, hormonal balance and metabolic function.