Global Adiposity Rather Than Abnormal Regional Fat Distribution Characterizes Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
March 2008
in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”
TLDR Women with PCOS have overall higher body fat, not abnormal fat placement, and more insulin resistance.
In the 2008 study involving 50 women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and 28 control women, MRI scans were used to assess regional fat distribution, specifically in visceral, abdominal subcutaneous, and gluteofemoral subcutaneous adipose tissue. The study found no significant differences in fat distribution between the PCOS cases and BMI/fat mass-matched controls. However, the PCOS group exhibited significantly higher fasting serum insulin concentrations and greater insulin resistance. These findings suggest that the metabolic disturbances in PCOS are not due to abnormal regional fat distribution but may be related to ectopic fat deposition in areas not measured by the study, such as the liver and muscle. The research highlights the need to match PCOS cases and controls for BMI and fat mass in studies of body fat distribution.
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Cited in this study
research Abdominal Fat Quantity and Distribution in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Extent of Its Relation to Insulin Resistance
Women with PCOS often have more belly fat and higher insulin levels, but belly fat isn't the only cause of their insulin resistance.