Polycystic ovary syndrome, also referred to by the acronym PCOS, is a relatively common medical condition in young women. PCOS is caused by an hormonal imbalance, and carries an increased risk of obesity, heart disease, infertility and type 2 diabetes. Although women with PCOS may struggle to lose weight due to the condition, research indicates that even relatively small weight loss can improve the symptoms of PCOS while reducing the associated risks. Consult your doctor before you implement any new weight loss regimen.
Losing Weight
Whether or not you have PCOS, losing weight in the long term usually happens when you create a calorie deficit. This means that the number of calories you burn -- through exercise, and through metabolic functioning -- must exceed the number of calories you consume each day through food and drink. A deficit of 3,500 calories is necessary to lose 1 lb. of body fat. This means that in order to lose a pound, you must consume 3,500 fewer calories than your body requires for weight maintenance, or burn 3,500 calories through exercise while consuming the exact number of calories necessary for weight maintenance.
Expert Insight
A 2009 study reported at the 91st Annual Meeting of the Endocrine Society indicated that medical management and supervision of weight-loss efforts can be effective in helping women with PCOS lose excess weight. The study involved 117 obese women with PCOS between 2002 and 2008. The average body weight was 231 pounds, with between 43 and 46 percent of women losing at least 5 percent of this body weight during a six-month to three-year period. Twenty percent of the study participants lost more than 10 percent of their body weight during the study period. Women with a longer period of medical supervision in their weight loss efforts reported a higher average weight loss.
Genetic Factors
A particular variant of the gene known as FTO is believed to be associated with both obesity and PCOS. A research project reported in March 2009 was the first to demonstrate a link between PCOS and obesity on a genetic basis. The study, carried out by endocrinologists from Imperial College London and the University of Oxford, found that one of the two variants of FTO gene was associated with increased weight gain and an increased likelihood of developing PCOS.
Considerations
In comparison to a woman of similar physique who does not have PCOS, a woman with PCOS may have to work harder to lose weight and maintain a healthy weight. However, it is perhaps even more important for a woman with PCOS to maintain a healthy weight than it is for a woman without PCOS. Even among women with a similar body mass index, the risk of arterial disease, coronary heart disease and stroke is higher for the woman with PCOS.
References
- Medical News Today; With A Doctor's Help Obese Women With PCOS Can Lose Weight; June 13, 2009
- The Endocrine Society News Room; Obese Women With PCOS Can Lose Weight With A Doctor's Help; March 18, 2008
- BMI Calculator: Calorie Intake to Lose Weight
- Medical News Today; Obesity Gene Associated With Susceptibility To Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS); March 17, 2009
- "Human Reproduction Update"; PCOS, Coronary Heart Disease, Stroke and the Influence of Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis; P.C. DeGroot, et al.; February 2011
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