Oral contraceptives use and weight gain in women with a Central European life-style.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to check and present data on the relation between combined oral contraceptives (COC) use and body weight in young women living in Poland.

METHODS

Observational study on the group of young women on COC and the control group of young women who never used COC. Candidates for study (145 women) and control (218 women) groups were recruited in selected gynecological clinics in Poland during the period of 1-31 January 2002 (with the use of randomization).

RESULTS

Both groups (study and control) were almost identical in age, anthropometric characteristics, number of pregnancies and deliveries. On the basis of this investigation it was found that there was no relation between use of COC and weight gain. Observed (in both groups) weight gain in young women was most probably related rather to time-passing (patients were getting older). The higher risk for overweight and obesity was found in the group of young women who had already had problems with overweight in their childhood. and in the group of women with high weight gain during the first pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

COC use is not associated with weight gain in young women with a Central European life-style.