Diet, Fertility and the Australian Primary Health Care Setting — A Review

Abstract

Background: The relationship between diet and fertility continues to emerge, yet interventions underutilise this evidence within Australian primary health care (PHC). Infertility affects approximately 9% of the world’s population and 16% of Australian couples trying to conceive naturally. Current PHC practices do not address nor encourage improved diet for sperm and oocyte quality, ovulation and sperm production. Due to a lack of resources and training, general practitioners typically refer these individuals to fertility clinics for medical management. As a result, Australia ranks as the 6th highest global utiliser of assisted reproductive technology, with annual costs to treat infertility exceeding $46,000,000. Aim: To synthesise current evidence for the diet-fertility relationship and identify suitable PHC interventions for improving fertility related lifestyle risk factors. Method: A database search for published peer reviewed articles using MEDLINE, Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed and Global Health was carried out, and narratively synthesised. Results: Poor diet, central adiposity and unhealthy weight are modifiable risk factors impacting fertility, and common amongst the Australian adult population. There are opportunities to address these risk factors by modifying existing lifestyle modification programs to improve the overall fertility profile of this demographic within PHC. Conclusion: It is possible to optimise fertility through lifestyle interventions that encompass dietary modification. Health and fertility treatment costs can potentially be improved if changes to diet and lifestyle are consistently addressed as first line management for infertility within PHC for appropriate individuals. Understanding evidence for interventions have importuning implications for policy and practice. Further work needs to describe how fertility lifestyle interventions can successfully translate into PHC practice.