Obese couples can take 59 per cent longer to get pregnant than those of a normal weight, study says
Researchers from the National Institute of Health claimed the findings confirm that being overweight reduces fertility
FAT couples take over one-and-a-half times longer to make a baby than thinner people, according to research.
Partners who are both morbidly obese can take 59 per cent longer to conceive than people of a normal weight.
But even those that are just obese struggle to have kids.
Researchers from the National Institute of Health said the findings confirmed obesity reduces fertility chances.
They studied over 500 couples between 2005 and 2008, where the women were aged between 18 and 44.
Women kept journals recording monthly menstrual cycles, sex with partners, and results of home pregnancy tests.
They were then followed until pregnancy or for up to one year of trying to conceive.
Scientists also calculated the participants BMIs and compared the average time it took to get pregnant.
Taking into account other factors known to influence fertility, such as age, smoking status, physical activity and cholesterol level; those who had a BMI of over 35 were found to take 59 per cent longer to get pregnant than non-obese couples.
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Lead author Dr Rajeshwari Sundaram said: "A lot of studies on fertility and body composition have focused on the female partner, but our findings underscore the importance of including both partners.
"Our results also indicate that fertility specialists may want to consider couples' body compositions when counselling patients."