GuiananZone

The weight does not affect the sexual behavior of a woman and, in fact, over weight women reported more sexual experiences with men than those that are considered a "normal weight", according to a study published in the academic journal Obstetrics & Gynecology.

The study is based on the National Survey of Family Growth 2002, which collected data on the sexual behavior of more than 7 thousand women.

The objective was to assess the impact of body mass index (BMI) of women in their sexual behavior, including issues such as sexual orientation, age of first sexual intercourse, number of partners and frequency of sexual intercourse.

"Our analysis showed that overweight women or obese do not have many differences in some measures of sexual behavior compared with women of normal weight," said Bliss Kaneshiro, the University of Hawaii, which conducted the research when together with Marie Harvey of the University the state of Oregon in the United States.

"The study indicates that all women should receive the same kind of guidance regarding the prevention of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, regardless of BMI " he said.

According Kaneshiro, some previous studies suggest that women who are above the weight have a higher risk of unplanned pregnancy. Although several factors, including the use of contraceptives and their effectiveness, can contribute to this, sexual behavior and frequency of sexual intercourse could also count.

According to Kaneshiro, it is important to study the relationship between BMI and sexual behavior because pre-conceived ideas of how women receive information and advice on pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

Stereotypes

The study also seems to contradict stereotypes of women that most overweight women are not as sexually active as those smaller.

"I was pleased to see that the stereotype that we need to be lean to have sex is just that, a stereotype," said Kaneshiro.

The researcher said the data show that the overweight women reported more sexual experiences with a man, even when factors such as age, race and type of residence were taken into account.

Ninety-two percent of women above the weight claim to have a history of sex with a man, compared with 87% of women with a normal BMI.

"The results were unexpected and we do not know why this happens," said Kaneshiro.

The researcher Marie Harvey, who participated in the study, said that an important aspect of research is showing that health professionals should not make assumptions about the sexual behavior of a woman on the basis of their appearance.

"Some practitioners can not make an appropriate monitoring with women who are above the weight because they assume that they are not having sex until we receive contrary information," said Harvey.