Eating and appetite regulating hormones in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and weight-matched controls

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition in women that affects health and fertility. It is characterized by hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, and oligo- or anovulation. Insulin resistance is associated with excess weight and the elevated androgens in PCOS promote central (android) deposition of fat. This may lead to distress and healthy or unhealthy efforts to manage weight. Objectives: To determine if women with PCOS exhibit disordered eating behaviors beyond weight-matched controls and if eating behaviors are associated with appetiteregulating hormones. Study Design: Eight women with PCOS and eight weight-matched controls completed a medical and diet history questionnaire, eating attitudes test, diet frequency questionnaire, diet interview, DEXA scan, ultrasound, and fasting blood draw for hormone assays. Main Results: Women with PCOS reported greater incidence of disordered eating, decreased daily food and micronutrient intakes, and increased fat and saturated fat intakes. There were no significant differences in fasting hormone levels between groups. Variable significance and/or contrasting c01Telations for some factor combinations were observed between groups. Conclusion: Eating disorder in women with PCOS was not observed. Consistent with some other studies, trends toward subclinical disordered eating and dysregulation of appetite-regulating hormones in this study merit further study