Study Is Looking at Weight and Incontinence Link

The Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center at the Miriam Hospital (Providence, RI) is conducting a study to examine weight loss and urinary incontinence in women. "Often childbirth can cause it, but one of the things that people didn't realize causes it is being more overweight,"said lead investigator Rena Wing, PhD.

Small studies have suggested that, if women lose weight and keep it off, urinary incontinence improves. The goal of the current study is to determine whether the theory pans out. During the study, half of the women will receive expert advice on diet and exercise. The other half will receive more intensive therapy. "Women in the intensive group will be seen every week for 6 months, and then every other week for the next 18 months. We're studying ways to improve weight loss and also hopefully ways to keep it off," explained Dr. Wing.