Short-term meal replacements followed by dietary macronutrient restriction enhance weight loss in polycystic ovary syndrome

Moran LJ, Noakes M, Clifton PM, Wittert GA, Williams G, and Norman RJ. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006;84:77-87.

Objective

To examine the effect of acute energy restriction on the reproductive and metabolic characteristics of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The effects of meal replacements in short-term weight-loss and longer-term carbohydrate- or fat-restriction strategies were compared with respect to the effect on weight loss, weight-loss maintenance, body composition, energy expenditure, and hormonal, metabolic, and reproductive characteristics in overweight women with PCOS.

Methods

The study was conducted on an outpatient basis over a period of 32 weeks. Forty-three overweight women with PCOS followed an eight-week weight loss regimen which consisted of two Slim-Fast meal replacements a day (phase 1) and then six months/24 weeks of a weight-maintenance carbohydrate-counting or fat-counting regimen (phase 2).

Results

Thirty-four women completed phase 1 (dropouts n=9), and 23 women went on to complete phase 2 (dropouts n=11). Phase 1 had significant reductions in weight, waist circumference, body fat, insulin, total testosterone, and free androgen index occurred. These changes were sustained during phase 2. No significant differences between fat- or carbohydrate-restricted diet groups were seen for any variables. At 24 weeks, both approaches resulted in a net weight loss.

Conclusion

The use of two Slim-Fast meal replacements daily is an effective strategy for achieving weight loss as well as for the short-term management of PCOS in overweight women through associated improvements in reproductive hormonal variables.

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