Urinary incontinence is the unintentional release of urine and it affects more than 13 million women in the United States.  Obesity is a common risk factor for urinary incontinence.  A research study done by the University of Alabama-Birmingham found that overweight women who lost just 3 pounds cut the amount of leaks due to urinary incontinence by 28 percent.  Women who lost 17 pounds cut the amount of leakage by 47 percent.