Vitamin D is increasingly recognized as an important vitamin in human reproduction. Due to insufficient exposure to direct sunlight, Vitamin D deficiency is also a paramount cause of infertility in the region. Middle Eastern countries have the highest vitamin D deficiency rates in the world attributed to the dress code of wearing concealing clothing, insufficient dietary intake of vitamin D, and the increasing time spent indoors. Specific measures aim to counteract these issues such as taking vitamin D supplements and encouraging an active outdoor lifestyle.

The prevalence of obesity is rising globally with the Middle Eastern regions notably reporting extremely high obesity rates. A sedentary lifestyle, lack of physical exercise, and high-calorie diets are common contributory factors to the increasing prevalence of obesity. An elevated body mass index seems to be related to an increased risk of infertility due to hormonal irregularities and ovulatory dysfunction. It has also been documented that obese women undergoing IVF are more likely to respond inadequately to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and experience higher miscarriage rates. Clinicians must take into account lifestyle factors that can adversely affect treatment success but can be modified to enhance pregnancy rates and improve the overall health and wellbeing of the Middle Eastern population. ART Fertility Group holds many educational conferences and meetings to educate both doctors and patients on the many factors contributing to the increasing incidence of infertility rates documented in this region. As a group, they feel a responsibility to share their knowledge and research findings to increase public awareness of the health risks to which they are exposed and with correct measures can be prevented.