NUTRITIONAL EDUCATION (FACE-TO-FACE AND VIDEO INSTRUCTION) FOR POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME RESULTS IN GREATER REDUCTION IN BMI AND HEMOGLOBIN A1C THAN CALORIC RESTRICTION, EXERCISE AND METFORMIN

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects approximately 12% of women of reproductive age and increases risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer and infertility. Metabolic inflexibility associated with PCOS makes weight loss difficult and has made nutritional education for this condition challenging and time-consuming. Hyperinsulinemia drives hyperandrogenism in PCOS. Research shows that carbohydrates from dairy and starch-based foods have greater insulinogenic properties than carbohydrates from non-starchy vegetables and fruits. The purpose of this study was to determine whether an 8-week dietary intervention with face-to-face or web-based nutritional instruction focusing on a low starch/low dairy diet would result in successful weight loss in women with PCOS.