Cited by 30Ovarian function and disordersObesity, Physical Activity, DietDiabetes, Cardiovascular Risks, and Lipoproteins

Weight gain and lifestyle factors in women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome

Awoke, Mamaru Ayenew, Earnest, Arul, Joham, Anju E, Hodge, Allison M, Teede, Helena J, Brown, Wendy J, Moran, Lisa J·2021·Human Reproduction

Abstract

STUDY QUESTION: Do extrinsic factors including lifestyle, psychosocial factors and healthcare professional engagement independently contribute to weight gain in women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)? SUMMARY ANSWER: Women with PCOS had a higher rate of weight gain than women without PCOS which was most marked in those with unhealthy lifestyles. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Women with PCOS have a higher prevalence of overweight/obesity and greater weight gain than women without PCOS. The association of lifestyle factors with weight change in PCOS is not known. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: The study was a population-based observational study with data collected from seven surveys over 19 years (N = 14 127; Survey 1) involving women with and without PCOS. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: We used data from the 1973-1978 birth cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Women with PCOS gained more weight annually (0.26 kg/year; 95% CI 0.12, 0.39; P < 0.0001) and over 19 years (4.62 kg; 95% CI 3.04, 6.21; P < 0.0001) than women without PCOS (adjusted analyses). For all women, there were positive associations between weight gain and energy intake, sitting time and stress; inverse associations with fibre intake and physical activity (PA); and no associations with diet quality, glycaemic index, healthcare utilization, depression or anxiety. There were interactions between lifestyle factors (energy intake P = 0.006, glycaemic index P = 0.025, sitting time P = 0.041 and PA P = 0.021), PCOS status and time such that weight gain varied between women with and without PCOS according to these factors. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The limitations of this study include the use of self-reported measures such as diet, PA, sitting time, psychological factors and health care utilization. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: While women with PCOS are more prone to weight gain, lifestyle factors have a more profound impact on weight gain in women with PCOS than without PCOS. These study findings have implications for understanding the mechanisms of weight gain in women with PCOS. They also highlight the importance of early lifestyle intervention as soon as PCOS is diagnosed to address modifiable extrinsic factors and prevent excess weight gain and worsening of the clinical features of PCOS. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): M.A.A. is funded by the Monash International Tuition Scholarship and Monash Graduate Scholarship and L.J.M. is funded by a National Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellowship. The authors declared no conflict of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: N/A.

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Crossref · 10.1093/humrep/deab239

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Authors
Awoke, M. A., Earnest, A., Joham, A. E., Hodge, A. M., Teede, H. J., Brown, W. J., & Moran, L. J.
Affiliations
  • Monash University (AU)
  • The University of Melbourne (AU)
  • The University of Queensland (AU)
Corresponding author
Moran, Lisa J
Venue
Human Reproduction
Published
2021-11-11
Volume
37
Issue
1
Pages
129-141
ISSN
  • 0268-1161 (ISSN-L)
  • 1460-2350
OpenAlex
W3212726336
Cited by
30
References
46
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 3
FWCI
4.31
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Human Reproduction (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Adelaide Research & Scholarship (AR&S) (University of Adelaide) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • The Monash International Tuition Scholarship and Monash Graduate Scholarship to M.A.A.
  • National Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellowship to L.J.M.
  • National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC) and Centre for Research Excellence in Women Health in Reproductive life (CRE WHiRL) to A.E.J.
  • NHMRC Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Fellowship to H.J.T.
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Ovarian function and disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diabetes, Cardiovascular Risks, and Lipoproteins
Keywords
polycystic ovary syndrome, weight gain, lifestyle factors, energy intake, fibre intake, physical activity, sitting time, stress, glycemic index, diet quality, health care utilization, depression, anxiety, overweight and obesity, women's health, Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health, birth cohort, psychosocial factors, healthcare professional engagement
MeSH terms
Australia, Female, Humans, Life Style, Longitudinal Studies, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Weight Gain

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