Background: Elevated body mass index (BMI) is associated with poorer outcomes in infertile women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART). However, evidence for effective weight loss interventions and their impact on live birth rates remains limited and inconclusive. The aim of this study is to determine whether weight loss prior to in vitro fertilization (IVF) improves live birth outcomes in overweight and obese infertile women.
Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial enrolled 158 overweight or obese (BMI ≥ 24 kg/m²) infertile women undergoing their first ART cycle at the Reproductive Center of Peking University People's Hospital. Participants were randomly allocated to either a weight intervention group or a control group using a computer-generated randomization sequence. The intervention group received a structured program consisting of dietary modification and physical exercise for three months prior to the initiation of IVF. In contrast, the control group received standard clinical care and were advised to manage their weight independently. The primary outcome measure was the live birth rate.
