Journal article
Exploring the physiological factors relating to energy balance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a scoping review
Nutrition Reviews, Vol.83(1), pp.160-174
2025
PMCID: PMC11632379
PMID: 38345350
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) occurs in 8%-13% of reproductive-aged women and is associated with reproductive, metabolic, and psychological dysfunction. Overweight and obesity are prevalent and exacerbate the features of PCOS. The aim of this review is to evaluate the extent of evidence examining the physiological factors affecting energy homeostasis, which may impact weight gain, weight loss, and weight maintenance in PCOS, and identify research gaps and recommendations for future research. Literature searches using MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycInfo, AMED, CINAHL, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were conducted up to June 22, 2022. Abstracts, non-English-language articles, and reviews were excluded. A total of n = 78 (n = 55 energy intake and n = 23 energy expenditure) primary research papers were included. Papers with multiple outcomes of interest were counted as separate studies. Energy-intake studies (n = 89) focussed on assessing food, nutrient, or supplements stimuli and were grouped into the outcomes of gastrointestinal appetite hormones (n = 43), adipokines (n = 34), subjective appetite (n = 9), functional brain imaging (n = 3), and neuropeptides (n = 0). Energy-expenditure studies (n = 29) were grouped into total energy expenditure (n = 1), resting energy expenditure (n = 15), meal-induced thermogenesis (n = 3), nutrient oxidation (n = 5), and metabolic flexibility (n = 5). Across both energy-intake and -expenditure papers, 60% of the studies compared outcome responses in women with PCOS with a control group. Results were inconsistent, with 57% reporting no differences and 43% reporting altered responses in PCOS compared with controls, including blunted appetite hormone responses, metabolic inflexibility, and reduced energy expenditure. The authors identified that there is inconsistent, yet preliminary, evidence of possible altered physiological factors, which may impact energy balance and weight management. Further work is needed to act on the identified clinical and research gaps to support women with PCOS and health professionals in informing and achieving realistic weight-management goals for women with PCOS. Systematic Review Registration: The protocol was prospectively registered on the Open Science Framework on February 16, 2021 (https://osf.io/9jnsm).
Details
- Title
- Exploring the physiological factors relating to energy balance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a scoping review
- Authors
- Kay Nguo - Monash UniversityMargaret McGowan - Monash UniversityStephanie Cowan - Monash UniversityZoe Davidson - Monash UniversityStephanie Pirotta - Monash UniversityAimee L Dordevic - Monash UniversityHelena Teede - Monash UniversityMaryam Hajishafiee - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Thompson InstituteMikaeli Carmichael - University of South AustraliaLisa J Moran - Monash University
- Publication details
- Nutrition Reviews, Vol.83(1), pp.160-174
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Date published
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.1093/nutrit/nuad169
- ISSN
- 1753-4887
- PMID
- 38345350; PMC11632379
- Copyright note
- This article is available under the Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-ND license and permits non-commercial use of the work as published, without adaptation or alteration provided the work is fully attributed.
- Organisation Unit
- UniSC Clinical Trials Centre; Thompson Institute
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991006998302621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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