Age at adiposity rebound in childhood is associated with PCOS diagnosis and obesity in adulthood—longitudinal analysis of BMI data from birth to age 46 in cases of PCOS

Abstract

Background:Adiposity rebound (AR), the second BMI rise in childhood at around the age of 6 years, is associated with obesity and metabolic alteration in later life. Given that polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has a strong metabolic component, early life growth patterns could reveal a risk of PCOS. Thus, we aimed to investigate the associations between age at AR and PCOS diagnosis and BMI later in life.Materials and methods:This study is part of a prospective, population-based longitudinal study, where women with PCOS diagnosis by age 46 (n = 280) were compared with asymptomatic women (CTRLs, n = 1573). Weight and height data from birth to age 13 years, at age at menarche, and at ages 31 and 46 years were analyzedResults:Women with PCOS had lower birth weight (3357 ± 477 vs. 3 445 ± 505 g, p < 0.001), earlier age at AR (5.2 ± 1.0 vs. 5.6 ± 0.90 years, p < 0.001) and higher BMI from AR onwards compared with controls. Early timing of AR was associated with PCOS diagnosis independently of BMI (OR 1.62, 95% Cl 1.37–1.92). Women with PCOS and early AR had higher BMI at 31 and 46 years when compared to controls with early AR. The age at AR did not associate with T levels at ages 31 or 46 years.Conclusions:Early AR was associated with PCOS diagnosis and high BMI in adulthood. Adolescent girls with early AR and persisting obesity should be screened for PCOS symptoms, such as persistent irregular cycles and hirsutism.

Naturally Occurring and Experimentally Induced Rhesus Macaque Models for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Translational Gateways to Clinical Application

“…The latter emulates the~60% diagnostic progression expected from a separate longitudinal study of PCOS families following newborn daughters into adulthood [18]. With regard to age at menarche, however, it is early [127], normal [128] or late [129] for women with PCOS, seemingly determined by weight during later childhood and at menarche. Overweight girls with PCOS are at greater risk for earlier age at menarche, while those who were thin before or at menarche are more likely to have a delayed menarchal age [130].…”

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Pathophysiology, Presentation, and Treatment With Emphasis on Adolescent Girls

“…Mismatches between prenatal and postnatal weights have led to the advance of the developmental origins of disease hypothesis [90]. The longitudinal prospective population-based study (Northern Finland Birth Cohort Study) found that women with PCOS had lower birth weights, experienced adiposity rebounds at younger ages, and had higher subsequent BMI values [91]. These findings are consistent with the concept that a mismatch between prenatal weight and postnatal weight gain is associated with increased risk for PCOS, ectopic fat storage, and hepatic steatosis [92–94].…”

Obesity and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Implications for Pathogenesis and Novel Management Strategies

“…2 Furthermore, data from NFBC 1966 show association between early adiposity rebound during childhood and diagnosis of PCOS and obesity in adulthood. 85 However, PCOS is a complex condition, and it is likely that its relationship with obesity is also complex. It is important to consider possible mechanisms whereby PCOS may contribute towards further weight-gain or hamper successful attempts at weight-loss and maintenance of body weight through lifestyle means in women with this condition, outlined in this section.…”