Dietary Strategies for Managing PCOS in Overweight Women

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects millions of women worldwide, often intersecting with challenges like weight gain, insulin resistance, and infertility. While dietary interventions are widely recognized as a cornerstone of PCOS management, their effectiveness in women with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m² has remained unclear—until now.

A recent meta-analysis sought to clarify this by reviewing nine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 559 participants. The findings are compelling: women with PCOS and elevated BMI saw significant improvements in weight, metabolic markers, hormone levels, and fertility outcomes when following structured dietary plans.

Among the various strategies, calorie-restricted diets (CRDs) emerged as the most effective and practical option. These diets promote sustainable weight loss and maintain balanced nutrition, improving long-term adherence. Low-calorie, low-carbohydrate, and low-calorie diets combined with extracts also showed beneficial effects, though they are recommended as secondary and tertiary options.

Interestingly, other diets—such as the Mediterranean and very low-calorie diets—yielded mixed or inconclusive results, primarily due to limited data and study variability.  

In conclusion, for women with PCOS and a BMI ≥ 25, calorie-restricted diets offer a clinically supported path to improving both metabolic health and fertility outcomes. As research continues to evolve, personalized, evidence-based dietary plans will play an increasingly vital role in the comprehensive care of PCOS.

Source:  Reprod Med Biol. 2024;23(1):e12607.