Obesity-related indices are associated with self-reported infertility in women: findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

OBJECTIVE

Obesity can contribute to infertility, but the exact relationship between infertility risk and obesity-related measurements like waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), body roundness index (BRI), conicity index (CoI), and A body shape index (ABSI) in women is uncertain. We investigated the association between these indices and female infertility.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, we used National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data (2013-2018). We used weighted multivariable logistic regression analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and subgroup analysis, as well as propensity score matching.

RESULTS

Among 3373 participants, 344 (10.2%) reported infertility. A significant link between higher infertility risk and increased WHtR, BRI, CoI, ABSI, and body mass index (BMI) was found. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed WHtR (odds ratio [OR] = 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.14-1.42), BRI (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.05-1.14), CoI (OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.18-1.56), ABSI (OR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.12-1.33), and BMI (OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.02-1.05) were significantly associated with female infertility. CoI had the best diagnostic performance (area under the ROC curve 0.628, 95% CI: 0.597-0.658).

CONCLUSIONS

Obesity-related indices were positively linked to infertility risk among women in the United States. These indices serve as valuable tools for assessing female infertility risk.