Lifestyle Intervention Can Be Effective in Obese Adolescents with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Weight loss in adult women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is associated with normalization of menstrual function and decreases in androgen levels. PCOS typically presents in adolescence, but little is known about the effect of interventions in adolescent girls with PCOS. German investigators evaluated the effects of a 1-year lifestyle intervention (physical activity, nutrition education, and individual and group behavior therapy for girls and their families) on a range of physiologic abnormalities associated with PCOS.

Of 127 obese girls who presented with PCOS, 59 (mean age, 15 years; mean body-mass index [BMI], 33.2 kg/m²) completed the 1-year intervention; 26 girls had successful weight loss (BMI standard deviation reduction >0.2…