Abstract
Weight loss can reduce the hyperandrogenemia associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in peripubertal girls. Yet, adolescent girls have the lowest rates of physical activity and enjoyment of exercise. We created a dance-based support group (Go Girls!) to entice physical activity and improve enjoyment. Girls ages 7–21 over the 85th BMI percentile were recruited and attended once-weekly sessions for 3–6 months. We assessed changes in Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES), anthropometrics, laboratory data, and amounts of home exercise at 0, 3, and 6 months. Sixteen girls completed either 3 or 6 months. PACES scores were surprisingly high at baseline and remained high. Systolic blood pressure percentile decreased post-intervention. Although no group differences were observed, the majority of individual girls had decreased waist circumference, triglycerides, and metabolic syndrome severity score. Forty percent had decreased free testosterone levels. More girls enjoyed physical education class, got exercise outside of school, and made other lifestyle changes. This dance-based support group was enjoyed by girls and demonstrated health benefits. Continued efforts to engage girls in physical activity are necessary to protect girls from the consequences of obesity, including PCOS and metabolic syndrome. Dance exercise remains a promising tool to encourage physical activity in girls.
Highlights
Hyperandrogenic polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 8–10% of all reproductive-aged women and is the leading single cause of female infertility, associated with serious metabolic problems, including obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus/gestational diabetes, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and preeclampsia [1]
We targeted the Go Girls! program to those who are at-risk for weight-related problems, in particular those with PCOS, diabetes mellitus, or insulin resistance
We held weekly sessions consisting of 45 min of dance-based exercise followed by 15–20 min of educational discussion about health-related topics, including complications of insulin resistance and PCOS
Summary
Hyperandrogenic polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 8–10% of all reproductive-aged women and is the leading single cause of female infertility, associated with serious metabolic problems, including obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus/gestational diabetes, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and preeclampsia [1]. PCOS prevalence is enhanced with obesity, rising to 65% in some populations of overweight women [3]. Peripubertal obesity in girls has been associated with hyperandrogenemia in most [4,5,6], not all [7], studies. Found that obese pre- and pubertal girls had total testosterone levels that were 4- and 1.75-fold elevated and sex hormone binding globulin that were 26% and 44%
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