Edited by:
Samantha Schon, MD, MTR, University of Michigan, United States of America
Submission Status: Open | Submission Deadline: 31 January 2025
Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology is calling for submissions to our Collection on Medical and Surgical Treatment of Obesity to Improve Reproductive Health. Obesity is a highly prevalent chronic disease with a significant and complex impact on reproduction. Obesity is associated with anovulation, longer time to pregnancy, infertility, poorer fertility treatment outcomes, an increased risk of miscarriage, and poor maternal/fetal outcomes. Women with obesity are commonly encouraged to lose weight prior to pregnancy to modify their risks. Whether or not modest weight loss results in improved live birth rates among women with infertility is unclear especially among women of older reproductive age. Weight loss may, however, improve the metabolic profile of women prior to becoming pregnant. There are currently a number of weight loss options available including nutritional, pharmacological, and surgical interventions. Each of these approaches are associated with various degrees of weight loss and risk profiles. Newer GLP-1 and dual incretin agonists have revolutionized the obesity medicine field and medical weight loss. There is extremely limited data on the use of these medications among women who are planning pregnancy or with reproductive disorders associated with obesity such as PCOS.
This collection calls for original basic, translational, and clinical studies evaluating the relationship between obesity, medical and surgical weight loss, and reproduction. Reviews on weight loss methodology and practical approaches to weight loss among reproductive-aged women are also encouraged.
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This collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good health and well-being.