Body Fat Distribution in Thai Reproductive-Aged Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Compared to Non-Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Women

The study compared body fat distribution in 60 Thai women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) to 60 non-PCOS women, matched by BMI, and found no significant differences in overall fat distribution between the two groups. However, PCOS women with abnormal glucose tolerance test results had higher arm fat levels. The PCOS group exhibited higher levels of insulin resistance, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and androgens compared to the control group. Despite these metabolic differences, fat distribution patterns did not significantly differ between PCOS women with and without hyperandrogenemia. The research suggests that glucose tolerance may influence fat distribution in PCOS women and highlights the potential impact of targeted fat reduction on insulin resistance, though it acknowledges limitations due to its single-institution sample.