FRI083 Identifying Determinants Of Change In Physical Activity In Women With Obesity And Infertility Following The Obesity-Fertility Program
Authors: Gélinas Myriam , Belan Matea , Jean-Denis Farrah , Pesant Marie-Hélène , Langlois Marie-France , Carranza-Mamane Belina , Baillargeon Jean-Patrice 
Published: October 2023

Disclosure: M. Gélinas: None. M. Belan: None. F. Jean-Denis: None. M. Pesant: None. M. Langlois: None. B. Carranza-Mamane: None. J. Baillargeon: Grant Recipient; Self; Ferring Pharmaceuticals.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is common among women of childbearing age and a risk factor for infertility. The Obesity-Fertility (OF) lifestyle program is an intervention that supports healthy lifestyle habits in women with infertility during the preconception period. Such support, that includes practice of physical activity (PA), is recommended for the management of obesity, and could improve fertility in individuals with obesity. However, there is a large variability in individual response in low-intensity lifestyle interventions. It is therefore important to determine whether there is a typical profile of women with obesity and infertility who benefit more from such program. OBJECTIVE: To determine the baseline characteristics associated with a change in sedentary time in hours per week (ST), the intensity level in leisure PA in METs, and the distance in meters walked during the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) after 6 months of participation in the OF lifestyle program. The 6MWT is associated to the functional capacity in populations with obesity. METHODS: Data from 85 participants enrolled in a randomized controlled trial and who had a research visit after 6 ± 1 months of follow-up were analyzed using univariate and multiple linear regressions (intervention, IG = 42; control, CG = 43). Participants in the CG received standard fertility care, while those in the IG received the OF program alone, which combines individual meetings with a kinesiologist and a nutritionist, and group sessions. Participants were assessed at baseline and after 6 months for outcomes, other lifestyle, anthropometry, weight loss readiness tool, quality of life, and the socio-economical status. RESULTS: After 6 months, women of the IG significantly improved their PA (+0.87 METs, p &lt;0.001), ST (-6.74 hours/week, p &lt;0001), and 6MWT (+23.8 m, p &lt;0.001). The only independent baseline determinants of these changes were a lower baseline level of PA for an increase in PA (p=0.032); a higher baseline ST for a decrease in ST (p=0.002); and a lower baseline distance at the 6MWT for an increase in 6MWT distance (p&lt;0.001). Regarding the CG, the 6-month changes in these outcomes were not significant (PA: +0.21, p=0.34; ST: -0.13, p=0.95; 6MWT: +7.3, p=0.26). The determinants of such changes were the same than in the IG, except for the baseline BMI ≥40 kg/m², which was an additional independent determinant of increase in ST, and baseline 6MWT was not associated with change in 6MWT. CONCLUSION: Less active women with lower functional capacity at baseline appear to benefit more from the OF lifestyle program. Based on the literature, psychosocial factors (motivation, self-efficacy, social support, etc.) were expected to be associated with changes in PA outcomes, but it is likely that our sample did not provide enough power to identify these relationships, or the tools we used were not enough sensitive for assess these characteristics.

Presentation: Friday, June 16, 2023