FRIDAY, July 23 (HealthDay News) -- In overweight and obese women, modest weight loss can result in significant urinary incontinence benefits, according to a study in the August issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Rena R. Wing, Ph.D., of Miriam Hospital in Providence, R.I., and colleagues randomized 338 obese and overweight women with 10 or more urinary incontinence episodes per week to an intervention that included an intensive six-month behavioral weight loss program followed immediately by a 12-month weight maintenance program, or to a structured education program. Both groups were combined to assess the effects of the magnitude of weight loss on urinary incontinence changes.

The researchers found that participants who lost 5 to less than 10 percent or 10 percent or more of their body weight had significantly larger percent reductions in urinary incontinence episodes and were more likely to experience a 70 percent or greater reduction in the frequency of total and urge urinary incontinence episodes at six, 12, and 18 months, compared with participants who gained weight. In addition, approximately 75 percent of women who lost 5 to less than 10 percent of their body weight said they were moderately or very satisfied with the urine leakage changes they experienced.

"The broad range of health benefits achieved with weight reduction strongly supports consideration of this approach as initial treatment for overweight women with incontinence," the authors write.

Three authors disclosed financial ties to pharmaceutical and/or medical device companies.

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