Comparison of dietary and physical activity behaviors in women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 39 471 women

BACKGROUND

Lifestyle (dietary and/or physical activity [PA]) modification is recommended as first-line therapy to manage polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Current recommendations are based on healthy lifestyle practices for the general public since evidence for unique lifestyle approaches in PCOS is limited and low quality.

OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE

We aimed to synthesize evidence on dietary and PA behaviors between women with PCOS and those without PCOS. Primary outcomes were overall diet quality, total energy intake and total PA, and secondary outcomes included macronutrients, micronutrients, food groups, foods, glycemic indices, sedentary time and sitting levels. We conducted this work to identify any unique lifestyle behaviors in women with PCOS that could underlie the propensity of weight gain and obesity in PCOS and be targeted for precision nutrition and PA interventions. These findings could be used to inform future practice recommendations and research that more effectively address complications (weight gain, obesity, diabetes, infertility, cardiovascular disease and mental health) in this high-risk population.

SEARCH METHODS

Databases of MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus and CINAHL were searched until 15 February 2022 to identify observational studies documenting dietary and PA behaviors between women with PCOS and without PCOS (Controls). Studies on children, adolescents (<18 years), pregnant or menopausal-aged women (>50 years) were excluded. Data were pooled by random-effects models and expressed as (standardized) mean differences (MD) and 95% CIs. The risk of bias was assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS).

OUTCOMES

Fifty-four studies (N = 39 471 participants; [n = 8736 PCOS; 30 735 Controls]) were eligible (96%; [52/54] NOS scores ≥ 7). Women with PCOS had higher cholesterol (MD: 12.78, 95% CI: 1.48 to 24.08 mg/day; P = 0.03; I2 = 19%), lower magnesium (MD: -21.46, 95% CI: -41.03 to -1.91 mg/day; P = 0.03; I2 = 76%), and a tendency for lower zinc (MD: -1.08, 95% CI: -2.19 to -0.03 mg/day; P = 0.05; I2 = 96%) intake, despite lower alcohol consumption (MD: -0.95, 95% CI: -1.67 to 0.22 g/day; P = 0.02; I2 = 0%) versus Controls. Also, women with PCOS had lower total PA (standardized mean difference: -0.38, 95% CI: -0.72 to 0.03; P = 0.03; I2 = 98%). Conversely, energy, macronutrients (carbohydrate, fat, protein, fiber), micronutrients (folic acid, iron, calcium, sodium), glycemic index and glycemic load were similar (all: P ≥ 0.06). Most eligible studies reported lower total adherence to healthy eating patterns or poorer consumption of major food groups (grains, fruits, vegetables, proteins, seeds, nuts, dairy) in women with PCOS, as described narratively since variable study methodology did not permit meta-analyses.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS

Collective evidence supports that women with PCOS have a lower overall diet quality, poorer dietary intakes (higher cholesterol, lower magnesium and zinc) and lower total PA, despite lower alcohol consumption versus those without PCOS. Considerable heterogeneity among studies reinforces the need for research to address any relative contributions of other factors (e.g. genetic, metabolic or sociodemographic) to the observed differences. These clarifications may contribute to future evidence-based guideline recommendations on monitoring and managing PCOS in the era of precision lifestyle medicine.

Comprehensive evaluation of disparities in cardiometabolic and reproductive risk between Hispanic and White women with polycystic ovary syndrome in the United States: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to comprehensively compare cardiometabolic and reproductive health risk between Hispanic and White women with polycystic ovary syndrome in the United States in response to the call by the international guideline for polycystic ovary syndrome to delineate health disparities.

DATA SOURCES

Databases of MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus were initially searched through October 25, 2020, and confirmed on February 1, 2021.

STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Observational studies comparing glucoregulatory, lipid profile, anthropometric, blood pressure, androgen, ovarian morphology, oligoanovulation, and infertility status between Hispanic and White women with polycystic ovary syndrome were included. The primary outcome was metabolic syndrome risk. Furthermore, major cardiovascular events (stroke, coronary heart disease, and heart failure) and mortality rate (cardiovascular death and total mortality) data were evaluated. Studies on adolescents (<2 years after menarche), pregnant, or menopausal-aged women (>50 years) were excluded.

METHODS

Data were pooled by random-effects models and expressed as mean differences and 95% confidence intervals. Risk of bias was assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

RESULTS

A total of 11 studies (n=2267; 589 Hispanic and 1678 White women) were eligible. All studies, including both White and Hispanic women, had high-quality assessment (Newcastle-Ottawa Scale score of ≥8). Hispanic women exhibited comparable metabolic syndrome prevalence (7% [95% confidence interval, -1 to 14]; P=.06; I2=0%); however, Hispanic women exhibited higher modified Ferriman-Gallwey score (0.60 [95% confidence interval, -0.01 to 1.21]; P=.05; I2=0%), fasting insulin (5.48 μIU/mL [95% confidence interval, 3.11-7.85]; P≤.01; I2=40.0%), and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (1.20 [95% confidence interval, 0.50-1.89]; P≤.01; I2=43.0%) than White women. The 2 groups had comparable glucose, lipid profile, waist circumference, blood pressure, and androgen status (all P≥.08). Findings about group differences in certain reproductive outcomes (ie, ovarian dysmorphology and infertility) were contradictory and described only narratively as inclusion in the meta-analyses was not possible. No study reported on cardiovascular events or mortality.

CONCLUSION

Hispanic women with polycystic ovary syndrome exhibited greater impairments in glucoregulatory status than White women. Disparities in reproductive risks could not be concluded. The degree to which glucoregulatory aberrations translate into patient-pressing diseases (diabetes mellitus and infertility) remains a major roadblock given the paucity of available evidence. Our observations have supported the consideration of these disparities in the diagnostic, monitoring, and management practices for polycystic ovary syndrome and reinforced the need to elucidate mechanisms that account for the observed disparities to foster equity in polycystic ovary syndrome care.