Does a restricted energy low glycemic index diet have a different effect on overweight women with or without polycystic ovary syndrome?

Farnaz Shishehgar,Parvin Mirmiran,Fahimeh Ramezani Tehrani,Maryam Rahmati,Maryam Tohidi

doi:10.1186/s12902-019-0420-1

Abstract

BackgroundObese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may face additional barriers in achieving weight loss. We aimed to compare the effects of the hypocaloric low glycemic index (LGI) diet on anthropometric variables and insulin resistance in women with and without PCOS and investigate the effect of this diet on the clinical and hormonal features of PCOS women.MethodsThis interventional study was carried out at the Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Of 108 women invited for the purpose of the present study, 62 participants (PCOS = 28, non-PCOS = 34) followed a 24-week energy restricted LGI diet. Anthropometric, biochemical, hormonal and clinical measurements were documented at baseline, 12 weeks and 24 weeks with intervention.ResultsThe percentages of weight loss achieved by both the PCOS and non-PCOS groups did not differ significantly (PCOS: -8.04% vs. non-PCOS: -8.09%). No significant difference in decrease of homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was observed between the two groups (PCOS = − 0.83 ± 0.33, non PCOS = − 0.79 ± 0.28, P = 0.83). In PCOS women, significant reduction in total testosterone (− 0.91 ± 0.33 nmol/L, P = 0.006), FAI (− 4.47 ± 1.1, P < 0.001) and increase in SHBG (38.98 ± 11.02 nmol/L, P < 0.001) were observed. Menstrual irregularity was improved in 80% of women with PCOS and a significant decrease (32.1%) in occurrence of acne was reported.ConclusionsThis diet has equally beneficial effects on anthropometric and metabolic characteristics of overweight women with and without PCOS.Trial registrationThis study is registered in the Iranian Randomized Clinical Trials Registry (IRCT, code: IRCT2016092129909N1).

Highlights

Obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may face additional barriers in achieving weight loss
Of 108 women screened for the purpose of the present study, 35 were excluded before initiation of the study and 73 participants meeting the study inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study (PCOS = 33, non-Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) = 40); of these 62 participants (PCOS = 28, non-PCOS = 34) completed 24-weeks of energy restricted low glycemic index (LGI) diet
The present study demonstrates that an energy restricted LGI diet has similar beneficial effects on the anthropometric and metabolic characteristics of overweight women with and without PCOS

Summary

Introduction

Obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may face additional barriers in achieving weight loss. We aimed to compare the effects of the hypocaloric low glycemic index (LGI) diet on anthropometric variables and insulin resistance in women with and without PCOS and investigate the effect of this diet on the clinical and hormonal features of PCOS women. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy in women of reproductive age; its pooled prevalence varies from to 7 to 12% based on the various criteria used for its definition [1]. The energy restricted low glycemic index (LGI) diet has led to greater improvement in insulin resistance and glucose metabolism [4]. It has been suggested that abnormalities in their appetite regulation [9] or in specific eating behaviors (higher prevalence of emotional eating) predispose them to overeating or higher consumption of high GI food items [10, 11]

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