Letter to the Editor

Fat and Fertility: Facts, Failures, and the Future

Authors: Kathryn C. Calhoun, MD

Abstract

To the Editor


Obesity has surpassed starvation on a global scale of disease. It is the leading chronic disease in the United States, with 34% of American adults considered obese and 74% of American adults weighing more than their ideal body weight.1 Elevated body weight is associated with more illness and earlier death.1,2 As a nation, we are literally eating ourselves into poorer health and an earlier grave.

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References

1. Flegal KM, Graubard BI, Williamson DF, et al.. Excess deaths associated with underweight, overweight, and obesity. JAMA 2005; 293: 1861–1867.
 
2. American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Obesity and reproduction: an educational bulletin. Fertil Steril 2008; 90 (5 suppl): S21–S29.
 
3. Galuska DA, Will JC, Serdula MK, et al. Are health care professionals advising obese patients to lose weight? JAMA 1999; 282: 1576–1578.
 
4. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. ACOG committee opinion number 315, September 2005. Obesity in pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol 2005; 106: 671–675.