Received March 31, 2017
Accepted August 06, 2017

Objective: To explore awareness of the reproductive compared to medical risks of obesity in a medical and non-medical college educated population. Methods: An exploratory prospective research design was used. A 26 question online survey was developed and offered to a sample of medical students/residents (N=325) and non-medical college students (N=102). The data were analyzed using Graph Pad software. Results: 102 non-medical undergraduate students (28% male and 72% female) and 325 resident physicians and medical students (46% male, 47% female, 7% unspecified) responded. Both groups reported higher awareness of the general risks of obesity as compared to the reproductive risks. As expected, lay students reported less awareness of female reproductive issues as compared to medical group (all p-values <0.01) Over 90% of respondents would be motivated to lose weight before pregnancy if they knew of these risks, with more than half planning to have children in the future. Conclusions: This exploratory study found that despite having at least a college education, the populations studied had relatively low awareness of obesity related reproductive risks. The medical population had much more knowledge about the other health risks of obesity. The survey provides initial data that can be used to consider knowledge gaps and strategies for engaging and educating medical trainees and the public about reproductive risks of obesity.