It's no secret in most of western society that being overweight is a health risk. The numbers of overweight in the west is so significant in fact, that a lack of information about overweight health risks might be seen as irresponsible. As one example, in the United States statistics indicate that two-thirds of all citizens are overweight. So the reality is that not only a majority, but a large majority of people in the US are at risk for overweight related health problems. Given this, it's understandable why so much information on weight related health risks has been presented to the public.

Most people in the US then are aware that being overweight can lead to a host of health problems. Some of the health problems linked to overweight include increased risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and even certain kinds of cancer. There is an additional problem linked to overweight that typically doesn't get much consideration however: the link between overweight women and an inability to conceive children.

Having trouble getting pregnant may not seem as significant as having a heart attack or stroke, but it is a real consideration for some people. Though the data is not necessarily clear-cut, there seem to be a number of reasons why overweight women can have difficulty conceiving. One reason may have to do with a particular hormonal imbalance. Leptin is a hormone that's typically deficient in people who are overweight. Leptin is thought to play a role in appetite regulation and energy levels. Leptin may also be linked to fertility levels in women: the lower the levels of Leptin in a woman's body, the more difficult it may be for a woman to conceive.

The ovulation cycle involves a second connection between overweight and infertility. Women who are overweight and obese can have ovulation cycles that are abnormal and even non-existent. The problem here of course is that ovulation is when a woman's fertility capacity is replenished and renewed. If infertility is not a viable option to begin with, pregnancy is certain to never occur. Lastly it's possible that women who are significantly overweight may not have the overall good health needed to conceive a child. Contrary to what may be popular belief, conception isn't an automatic process: among women, those who are younger and in good health are more likely to become pregnant.

It's important to bear in mind that weight gain during a pregnancy is an absolutely normal and appropriate process. What may be problematic is excess body weight before pregnancy takes place. In addition to making pregnancy more likely, a normal body weight will also positively affect the outlook for a healthy pregnancy overall.