Obesity is a significant risk factor for male and female infertility and, even if conception is achieved, pregnancies complicated by obesity pose a major risk for mothers and infants and are associated with a range of complications and adverse events. Therefore, prospective parents are encouraged to achieve a healthy weight prior to conception but achieving and maintaining this in practice is extremely difficult due to environmental, lifestyle, health and economic factors.
Whilst a healthy diet and increased activity have been the mainstay of weight management for decades, more recent surgical and pharmaceutical advancements have offered people with obesity alternative approaches to support weight loss with proven efficacy and rapid results. Bariatric (obesity) surgery (e.g. gastric bypass or bands) and weight loss drugs (oral tablets or injectable GLP-1 Receptor Agonists such as Ozempic) are an attractive option for those of reproductive age wishing to increase their natural fertility and/ or ensure their eligibility for assisted reproduction. However, whilst they undoubtedly 'work' these drugs and techniques have not been developed with reproductive health in mind; there are significant safety concerns and a lack of data for longer term outcomes in people where medication/ surgery and pregnancy overlap.
This workshop will comprise roundtable discussions, plenary updates from international experts and individual contributions. Join our team of academics and practitioners working in the fields of conception care, fertility, nutrition and bariatric surgery to debate the evidence, shape the research agenda and develop the clinical guidance that is so desperately needed.
ORGANISERS
Dr Kathryn Hart, University of Surrey, UK
Professor Jill Shawe, University of Plymouth, UK
Professor Roland Devlieger, KU Leuven, Belgium
INVITED SPEAKERS
Sinead Blowers, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
Katie Edwards, University of Plymouth
Roland Devlieger, KU Leuven
Pauline Dunne, School of Population Health, Dublin
Kate Maslin, University of Plymouth
Jill Shawe, University of Plymouth
Photo by Haberdoedas on Unsplash
Registration closes on Wednesday 13th May 2026.
Sorry, this event is not currently accepting abstracts.