Research & Practice
Evaluation of the Food For Fertility Program
Female infertility and its associated health conditions carry significant social and economic burdens, making it an important public health issue. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) affects about 5 million women of reproductive age in the U.S. PCOS is a major cause of female infertility. Women with PCOS are at greatly elevated risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Obesity and unhealthy lifestyles are also linked to these chronic diseases. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that the cost of identifying and managing PCOS is approximately $4 billion annually. This does not include the treatment of serious health conditions associated with PCOS. Overall, the cost of treating infertility and co‐ existing and downstream diseases can be expensive for individuals, employers, and governments. Compared with women with a normal body mass index (BMI) (18.5‐24.9 kg/m2), women with a raised BMI have a threefold greater risk of infertility. Data collected from the Nurses’ Health Study II prospective cohort suggest that most cases of infertility due to ovulation disorders are preventable through diet and lifestyle modification. There is also a sixfold difference in ovulatory infertility risk between women following five or more low‐risk dietary and lifestyle habits and those following none. A balanced, healthful diet is also associated with successful pregnancy in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART). Women facing or actively participating in ART may be motivated to achieve lifestyle change to increase the odds of ART success or to avoid ART altogether. The adoption of healthy lifestyle practices may be more successful at a preconception stage because of increased motivation and increased receptivity. This is an important life stage in which to focus on public health messages highlighting that routine preconception lifestyle counseling is crucial for all ART-related pregnancies.
The results of well‐conducted human research studies suggest that diet and lifestyle should be part of an infertility treatment plan, particularly for infertility due to ovulatory disorders. The Food for Fertility program, designed and conducted by Judy Simon, MS, RD, CD, CHES incorporates nutrition education, physical activity and mindful eating in a peer support setting. The program uses a non‐diet approach, using intuitive eating instead of calorie restriction. The program goal is to motivate women to make healthy lifestyle changes, regardless of weight change, and give them the tools and information to do so.
To assure that the class curriculum and structure results in the desired outcome of lifestyle changes that support optimum fertility, a means of evaluating these changes was needed. A pre‐evaluation tool would allow for baseline assessment of where Food for Fertility clients are in terms of their knowledge, habits and readiness to change before starting the course series. A post‐evaluation tool would allow for measurement of any changes in these areas.
Materials Available
Project Type(s): MPH Practicum, PH Concentration Poster
Author(s): Carrie Dennett
Program(s): Master of Public Health, RDN Training
Year: 2013
Adviser(s):