Role of hyperandrogenism on disordered eating behaviors in adolescents with PCOS and interplay with insulin resistance.

OBJECTIVES

This study examines the roles of hyperandrogenism (HA) and insulin resistance (IR) in eating behaviors among adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

METHODS

Fifty adolescents with PCOS (mean age 16.04 ± 1.46 years, BMI 27.55 ± 6.34) were assessed. IR was evaluated using HOMA-IR, and eating behaviors were measured with the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) and the Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q).

RESULTS

IR was present in 46 % of participants, with obesity affecting 71 % of those with IR. While EAT scores showed no significant association with BMI, HA, or IR, the IR group had higher EDE-Q Total scores (p=0.05), particularly in Shape Concern (SC, p=0.003) and Weight Concern (WC, p=0.03). HA primarily influenced WC (p=0.04). BMI correlated more strongly with WC (r=0.579, p<0.001) than IR. ROC analysis indicated BMI>27.5 (AUC=0.967) and HOMA-IR>3.1 (AUC=0.961) as strong predictors of disordered eating.

CONCLUSIONS

BMI and HOMA-IR are more reliable than HA for identifying disordered eating behaviors in PCOS adolescents. The EDE-Q is recommended for effective screening, emphasizing the need to monitor BMI and HOMA-IR in this population.