Obesity afflicting fertility rates in western societies

Mother - the creator and nurturer: it is through her that one witnesses the miracle of life. Are you healthy enough to be one? because obesity, a price some of us pay for modern society's opulence, has become a worrisome cause that is affecting fertility across many affluent western societies.

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The obesity epidemic is likely to leave more couples struggling to conceive as women suffer more fertility-related problems. Couples seeking treatment may double by the next decade. Obesity has a substantial effect on the manifestation of polycystic ovary syndrome. It also suggests that excessive weight gain might promote polycystic ovary syndrome in a susceptible population.

Patients suffering from PCOD have multiple small cysts in their ovaries. These cysts occur when the regular changes of a normal menstrual cycle are disrupted. The ovary is enlarged; and produces excessive amounts of androgen and estrogenic hormones. These prevent ovulation, which causes infertility.

Apart from being a cosmetic concern, obesity is the harbinger of numerous diseases; you can take lists of diseases from every specialty and find some obesity-related ones in each. Hypertension, coronary artery disease, pulmonary problems, diabetes, skin health...the lists are endless. Obesity also causes other problems of fertility: gestational diabetes, increased risk of hypertension, abnormalities and a decreased chance of a natural labour.

Aging populations with fewer children and lower fertility

Declining birth rates in the Western world may tip the balance of power to the East. Improved healthcare and changing lifestyles mean people are living longer, yet they are having lesser kids. The West's dwindling birth rates has put the pressure on many countries into offering free care, education and health facilities to people who opt to have more children.

The UN report on Replacement Migration shows concerns of impact on the labor market. The result is that many countries are experiencing the new phenomenon called 'below replacement fertility' whereby populations are no longer having enough children to replace themselves. The UN has reported that 61 nations now fall below fertility replacement and this number is expected to continue growing. Large-scale immigration, touted as a solution to declining workforces in western nation.

Obesity Epidemic

Adult obesity rates have nearly quadrupled in the UK over the past 25 years. Nearly two out of every three Americans are overweight or obese. Obesity may soon overtake tobacco as the number one factor in people's deaths. America is one of the richest, most progressive countries in the world. Should it not be one of the healthiest too? Maybe it should, but the sad truth is that Americans are some of the unhealthiest people in the world.

Obesity: A decadent lifestyles legacy

Not only is food easily obtainable, for most it is inexpensive and because of modern conveniences, there is little need to walk or be physically active. Also all the wrong food choices seem to be cheap and easily available resulting in poor eating habits. Regular consumption of high-calorie foods, loading up on soft drinks, candy and desserts add to that a sedentary lifestyle, results in excessive body weight. To put it simply the caloric intake is much more than the caloric expenditure.

How can you judge if you are overweight or obese? In order to do so, you need to measure your BMI, or Body Mass Index. No one wants to be obese and losing weight can be hard to accomplish, but one has to start some time! Wanting to have healthy kids can be one motivating factor.

Despite the wide-ranging recognized health risks associated with excessive body weight, people keep munching on their fries and burgers, they refuse to take the stairs and always opt for elevators and escalators. The impact of these lifestyle choices on your longer-term quality of life can be quite grave. However, the process can be stopped if your priorities include a healthy fat-free diet, a healthy lifestyle, including proper exercise, for women who want to have children.