Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The optimal dietary strategy to improve the metabolic and reproductive endocrine profile in adolescents with obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is undefined. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of the MEtabolic Syndrome REduction in NAvarra (RESMENA) diet versus a control diet based on American Heart Association (AHA) recommendations for the treatment of PCOS in adolescents with PCOS. METHODS: A total of 40 adolescents diagnosed with PCOS between the ages of 13-18 years were randomized to either a RESMENA or control diet for 6 months. Dietary status, anthropometry, body composition, biochemical parameters, and reproductive endocrine hormones were compared between the 2 groups before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Both diet groups showed significant decreases in anthropometric parameters, whereas the RESMENA diet provided a greater decrease in all these parameters except neck circumference and fat percentage (p <0.05). At the end of the study, fasting insulin, ALT, and total cholesterol levels decreased in both control and RESMENA groups; HbA1c, HOMA-IR, and hs-CRP levels decreased; and QUICKI score increased in the RESMENA group (p <0.05). There was no statistical difference in the androgen levels of the control group compared to the baseline. In the RESMENA group, there were a significant decrease in total testosterone, free testosterone, 17-OH progesterone, androstenedione, LH levels and LH/FSH ratio, and free androgen index and a significant increase in SHBG levels (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both dietary patterns resulted in significant improvement in anthropometric measurements and body composition, but the RESMENA diet showed beneficial effects on insulin resistance parameters and androgen levels.