In addition to having irregular hormone levels and a family history of fibroids, other factors that can influence a woman’s risk of developing fibroids are: Age: Fibroids are most commonly diagnosed between age 30 and 40. Weight: Obese individuals are more likely to suffer from fibroids. The more weight a woman carries, the greater her risk. Ethnicity: African-American women encounter problems with uterine fibroids more than any other ethnic group. Diet: More recent studies have shown that a high intake of red meat can negatively impact a woman’s likelihood to develop fibroid. In contrast, eating more leafy greens and fruit can have a positive effect on this particular risk factor.