Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Being overweight or obese are common characteristic of women affected by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Indeed, 50–70% of the women are obese and more likely to present with higher growth rate and obesity already from early childhood compared with women without the syndrome. Obesity predisposes women with PCOS to adverse metabolic outcomes such as metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and diabetes. Recent studies have also revealed a high prevalence of eating disorders and altered body image among women with PCOS, however, population-based data and longitudinal follow-up studies on body image and weight loss attempts are lacking.

Materials and methods: The present study assessed the association of body image and weight loss attempts with PCOS in a prospective, general population-based follow-up birth cohort (n=5889 females). Postal questionnaires were sent at age 31 (81% answered) and 46 (72% answered). Women reporting both oligoamenorrhea and hirsutism at age 31 and/or PCO/PCOS-diagnosis by age 46 were considered as having PCOS (N=280) whereas asymptomatic women at age 31 or without PCO/PCOS-diagnosis by age 46 comprised a control group (N=1573). Questions on body image and weight loss attempts and clinical examinations were performed at ages 31 and 46.

Results: Women with PCOS were more dissatisfied with their weight compared with controls both at age 31 and 46 (72.3% vs 52.4%, P<0.001 and 86.4% vs 69.0%, P<0.001). PCOS was associated with risk for body dissatisfaction at age 31 and 46 (Odds ratio, OR 2.39, 95% confidential interval, CI [1.691–3.63] and 2.92[1.901–4.476]) and the association remained statistically significant after adjusting for BMI and depression and anxiety score (Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25, HSCL-25) (31 years: OR 1.70[1.026–2.808]) and 46 years: OR 2.67[1.372–5.183]). Women with PCOS were more likely to have weight loss attempts compared with controls at age 31 and 46 (47.1% vs 34.0%, P=0.001 and 62.8% vs 47.5%, P<0.001, respectively). In regression analysis PCOS associated with weight lost attempts independent of BMI. There was a significant but unexpected weak association between waist circumference (WC) and BMI with weight lost attempts in the whole female population (WC: OR 1.11 [1.093–1.119], respectively and BMI: OR 1.40 [1.351–1.444]).

Conclusions: Women with PCOS were more dissatisfied with their weight compared with controls and they were more likely to attempt to lose weight by age 46. As the differences between the groups were independent from BMI, further studies to elucidate the reasons for body dissatisfaction are warranted.