One -in-three Zim women obese

HEALTH experts have warned that obesity, which affects more than a third of Zimbabwean women and 12 percent of men, can lead to infertility in both sexes.

Infertility is the inability to conceive often caused by a shortage of certain hormones in both men and women.

Mr Dingilizwe Mpofu, who heads the Matabeleland North provincial Non- Communicable Diseases and Mental Health department in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, said obesity compromises the functions of many body parts including the reproductive system.

“Many people do not take obesity as a major health risk but it is dangerous. It causes infertility among other diseases and it is essential that people are careful about their eating patterns,” he said.

“Obesity usually affects women and infertility is all about the male and the female hormones. So when there is a lot of fat in the body, it can lead to infertility. The fat build up compromises the functions of the reproductive organs hence the need for members of the public to invest in healthy diets and exercise.”

Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent of causing health complications. It is commonly caused by a combination of excessive food intake and lack of physical activity, among others.

It is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of equal or more than 30kg/m. BMI is measured by dividing weight in kilogrammes (kg) by height in metres (m) thereafter dividing the answer by one’s height.

In his paper published in the Medcrave Online Journal on Women’s Health entitled Female Obesity and its Consequences, Bulawayo gynaecologist Dr Solwayo Ngwenya said obesity impacts negatively on maternal and foetal morbidity and mortality.

“Obese females suffer sub fertility and they have high levels of leptin produce by adipocytes that produce sub fecundity. A high BMI is associated with decreased oestrogen levels in all phases of the ovarian cycle,” said Dr Ngwenya, who is also Mpilo Central Hospital clinical director.

“Female obesity is indeed a huge and growing health problem. Tackling and reducing it will lead to a reduction in maternal and foetal outcomes and improved long-term health.”

Dr Ngwenya said obese women who may conceive have increased rates of periodic miscarriages.

“Obese patients are at increased risk of endometrial hyperplasia and cancer. They may undergo operative procedures such as hysteroscopies or hysterectomy if malignancy is found complicating their fertility desires. Long-term, they are prone to developing type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases,” said Dr Ngwenya.—@thamamoe