Work

Relationship between infertility and body mass-related indices in women of childbearing age: a cross-sectional study of the NHANES 2013–2016

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background To further assess the relationship between obesity and infertility, we employed a novel anthropometric index, specifically designed to assess the relationship between a body shape index (ABSI) and infertility in women of childbearing age. Furthermore, we examined the correlation between ABSI and visceral obesity index (VAI) in relation to infertility.Methods A total of 1989 female participants of childbearing age were included, based on National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2013 to 2016. The ABSI is calculated by dividing waist circumference by body mass index (BMI) 2/3* height1/2. VAI was calculated using the following formula: waist circumference/(36.58 + (1.89*BMI)) x (triglycerides/0.81) × (1.52/HDL cholesterol). Infertility or fertility status was defined by interviewing female participants of childbearing age through a reproductive health questionnaire. Weighted multifactorial logistic regression analysis was used to explore the independent relationship between ABSI and infertility. Smoothed curve fitting, subgroup analyses and interaction tests were also performed.Results Among the 1989 participants, 183 (9.2%) women were categorized as infertile. Logistic regression modeling showed that ABSI was positively associated with infertility and remained significant even after adjusting for all confounders(OR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.07–1.60, p = 0.0098). This association was consistent across all subgroups (age, race, smoking, alcohol consumption, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and the regularity of menstruation over the previous 12 months), (p > 0.05 for all interactions). The results of the smooth curve fitting demonstrated a linear, positive association between ABSI and infertility.Conclusion There is a statistically significant positive correlation between body mass index and infertility. As a body shape index rises, women of childbearing age are at greater risk of infertility.

Source: The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine

DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2026.2643945

Authors: Yuan Wang, Ling Tong, Ting Yan, Yunxia Deng, Kaiping Wu, Yaping Yi

Institutions: Nanjing Medical University, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Changzhou No.2 People's Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Ovarian function and disorders

Subfield: Reproductive Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: Nanjing Medical University