Abstract
Objectives
As obesity may affect the efficacy of some contraceptives, we examined weight, body
mass index (BMI) and prevalence of obesity among female contraceptive clients at 231
U.S. health centers. A secondary aim was to analyze differences in contraceptive method
use by obesity status.
Study design
Cross-sectional study using de-identified electronic health record data from family
planning centers. We analyzed contraceptive visits made by 147,336 females aged 15–44 years in 2013.
Results
A total of 46.1% of clients had BMI ≥25. Mean body weight was 154.4 lb (S.D.=41.9); mean BMI was 26.1 (S.D.=6.6). A total of 40% had BMI ≥26, when levonorgestrel emergency contraception may become less effective. Obese clients
had higher odds of using a tier 1 or tier 3 contraceptive method and had lower odds
of using a tier 2 or hormonal method than non-obese clients.
Conclusions
About half of contraceptive clients would be categorized as overweight or obese. Contraceptive
method choices differed by obesity status.
Implications
About half of contraceptive clients in this study population were overweight or obese.
Contraceptive method choices differed by obesity status. All women — regardless of
body size — should receive unbiased, evidence-based counseling on the full range of
contraceptive options so that they can make informed choices.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 20, 2015
Accepted:
February 16,
2015
Received in revised form:
February 7,
2015
Received:
December 12,
2014
Identification
Copyright
© 2015 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
