A new study conducted at Oregon State University revealed that overweight women are actually getting more sex than their “normal-weight” counterparts.

The study appeared in the September issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and was led by Bliss Kaneshiro of the University of Hawaii with assistance from Professor Marie Harvey of Oregon State University. Harvey brought her expertise on sexuality and reproduction issues to the study, while lead author Kaneshiro worked on the study as part of her Masters of Public Health thesis.

Professor Harvey says that the study will help to break down the misconception that overweight women are not as sexually active as thinner females. She is also hopeful that her work will help to lower the number of unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections among plus-sized women.

“As weight demographics in our country continue to increase, we’re thinking about disease prevention and wondering how weight affects sexual behavior,” said Professor Harvey.

The study focused on heterosexual, penetrative sexual encounters that could potentially lead to pregnancies or disease transmission. Nearly 8,000 women were involved in the survey. Results of the study showed that 92 % of overweight women reported having intercourse with men, while 87% of women with normal body mass said the same.

Speaking to the results of the study, Harvey had this to say–
“It goes to the need to approach every woman as you provide prevention programs and services to understand that all women are potentially sexually active.”