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Semin Reprod Med 2022; 40(01/02): 053-068
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1744495
Review Article

The Interaction of Obesity and Reproductive Function in Adolescents

Victoria Elliott   *
1   Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
,
Stephanie W. Waldrop   *
2   Department of Pediatrics, Section of Nutrition, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
,
Pattara Wiromrat
3   Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
,
Anne-Marie Carreau
4   Endocrinologue, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, Canada
5   Endocrinologie–Néphrologie, Québec-Université Laval, Québec, Canada
,
Melanie Cree Green 
2   Department of Pediatrics, Section of Nutrition, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
6   Center for Women's Health Research, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
› Author Affiliations
Funding None.
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Abstract

Obesity is increasing worldwide, including in pediatrics. Adequate nutrition is required for initiation of menses, and there is a clear secular trend toward earlier pubertal onset and menarche in females in countries around the globe. Similar findings of earlier pubertal start are suggested in males. However, as individuals and populations have crossed into over-nutritional states including overweight and obesity, the effect of excess weight on disrupting reproductive function has become apparent. Hypothalamic hypogonadism and polycystic ovary syndrome are two conditions where reproductive function appears to directly relate to excess weight. Clinical findings in individuals with certain polygenic and monogenic obesity syndromes, which also have reproductive disruptions, have helped elucidate neurologic pathways that are common to both. Clinical endocrinopathies such as hypothyroidism or panhypopituitarism also aide in the understanding of the role of the endocrine system in weight gain. Understanding the intersection of obesity and reproductive function may lead to future therapies which can treat both conditions.

Keywords

obesity - adolescence - reproductive disturbances

Disclosures

M.C-G. has served on a pediatric obesity advisory board for Novo Nordisk.


* Joint first authors.




Publication History

Article published online:
13 May 2022

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