All About HEALTH: Post #4: Obesity and Sexual Health

We have already looked at some of the benefits of losing weight, and also some of the health risks of obesity. Today, we will take a closer look at the relationship between obesity and sexual health. As you may already know, obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater. BMI is calculated from a person’s weight and height, and it is an indicator of body fatness and weight categories that may lead to health problems. Obesity can harm not only health and longevity, but also your sex life.
According to a study conducted in 2006, higher BMI was associated with greater impairments in sexual quality of life (Kolotkin, 2006). Obesity, according to this study, is associated with lack of enjoyment of sexual activity, lack of sexual desire, difficulties with sexual performance, and avoidance of sexual encounters. It is also interesting to note that sexual quality of life is most impaired for women who are obese.
Another interesting study, conducted by Nathalie Bajos of France’s National Institute for Health and Medical Research, discovered that obese women had four times as many unplanned pregnancies as normal weight women, even though they had sex less often. Obese women under 30 were also less likely to seek contraceptive advice or use oral contraceptives (Bajos, 2010).
This study also asserted that obese men were 70% more likely than normal weight men to have had more than one sexual partner. These men were also 2.5 times more likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction. They also had a higher chance of having a sexually transmitted disease.
I believe that these phenomena are linked with social pressure, low self-esteem and concerns about body image. However, I was stunned when I learned that obesity is also linked with mental health. According to the same study, obese person was less likely to view sex as important for their personal life balance.
As you can see, obesity is correlated with sexual health, as well as mental and physical. It should be noted that to live a fulfilling life, fighting against obesity is significant!

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Reference:
1. "Obesity - Abstract of article: Obesity and Sexual Quality of Life[ast]." Nature Publishing Group : science journals, jobs, and information. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 July 2011. 


2. "Sexuality and obesity, a gender perspective: results from French national random probability survey of sexual behaviours -- Bajos et al. 340 -- bmj.com ." bmj.com . N.p., n.d. Web. 11 July 2011.