Difference in body weight between American and Italian women with polycystic ovary syndrome: influence of the diet

Author: Carmina Enrico  

Publisher: Oxford University Press

ISSN: 1460-2350

Source: Human Reproduction, Vol.18, Iss.11, 2003-11, pp. : 2289-2293

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: The study aim was to determine differences in body mass in two populations of women (USA and Italy) with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and to assess the effect of diet on body mass and cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS: Pools of women with PCOS from the USA (n = 343) and Italy (n = 301), seen between 1993 and 2001, were available for assessment. From these populations, 20 women who were seen consecutively in 2001 at each site had detailed analyses of diet and cardiovascular risk factors. RESULTS: In the entire group, American women had a significantly higher body mass compared with Italian women (P < 0.01).="" also,="" the="" 20="" women="" consecutively="" evaluated="" in="" the="" usa="" had="" a="" significantly="" higher="" mean="" (±="" sd)="" body="" mass="" index="" (40.3="" ±="" 1.0="">2) than in Italy (29.7 ± 1.0 kg/m2). US women had worse insulin resistance, lower levels of high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol (HDL‐C) (P < 0.01)="" and="" higher="" levels="" of="" triglycerides="">P < 0.01).="" dietary="" analysis="" in="" the="" two="" groups="" indicated="" that="" the="" total="" daily="" calorific="" intake="" was="" similar="" (usa="" 2277="" ±="" 109;="" italy="" 2325="" ±="" 68="" kcal),="" with="" no="" appreciable="" differences="" in="" dietary="" content="" of="" protein,="" carbohydrate="" and="" fat.="" however,="" the="" dietary="" saturated="" fat="" content="" was="" significantly="" higher="" in="" us="" women="" (31.9="" ±="" 3="" versus="" 18.2="" ±="" 2="" g/day,="">P < 0.01).="" saturated="" fat="" intake="" correlated="" negatively="" with="" hdl‐c="">P < 0.01).="" conclusions:="" among="" women="" with="" pcos,="" body="" mass="" was="" significantly="" higher="" in="" us="" women="" compared="" with="" italian="" women.="" however,="" total="" calorie="" intake="" and="" dietary="" constituents="" were="" similar,="" except="" for="" a="" higher="" saturated="" fat="" in="" us="" women.="" it="" is="" hypothesized="" that="" diet="" alone="" does="" not="" explain="" differences="" in="" body="" mass;="" genetic="" and="" lifestyle="" factors="" likely="" contribute.="" an="" increased="" saturated="" fat="" intake="" may="" worsen="" the="" cardiovascular="" risk="" profile.="">

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