Obesity and reproduction: a study to determine how effectively medical education enhances awareness of the reproductive risks related to obesity

OBJECTIVE: To explore awareness of the reproductive versus the medical risks of obesity in a medical and non-medical college educated population. METHODS: An exploratory prospective research design was used. A 26-question online survey was developed and offered to a sample of medical students/residents (n=325) and non-medical college students (n=102). The data were analyzed using Graph Pad software. RESULTS: 102 non-medical undergraduate students (28% male and 72% female) and 325 resident physicians and medical students (46% male, 47% female, 7% unspecified) responded. Both groups reported higher awareness of the general risks of obesity as compared to the reproductive risks. As expected, lay students reported less awareness of female reproductive issues as compared to the medical group (all p-values <0.01). Over 90% of respondents would be motivated to lose weight before pregnancy if they knew of these risks, with more than half planning to have children in the future. CONCLUSION: This exploratory study found that despite having at least a college education, the populations studied had relatively low levels of awareness of obesity-related reproductive risks. The medical population had much more knowledge about the other health risks of obesity. The survey provided initial data that might be used to consider knowledge gaps and strategies for engaging and educating medical trainees and the public about the reproductive risks of obesity.