Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible correlation between the percentage of daily energy intake from fat (PEF) with insulin resistance (IR) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 186 females with PCOS were screened. Daily dietary intake data were collected by a trained nutritionist using the 24-h dietary recall method over three consecutive days. A total of 111 subjects who had complete data were divided into two groups based on the percentage of daily energy intake from fat (PEF): the normal PEF (NPEF) group (PEF < 30%) and the high PEF (HPEF) group (PEF ≥ 30%). Pearson’s correlation analysis and stepwise multivariate linear regression analysis were used to analyze the correlation of PEF with homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).
Results: The total prevalence rate of overweight/obesity was 80.2%. There were significant differences in waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), fasting insulin, and HOMA-IR (P < 0.001) among the normal weight, the overweight, and the obese groups, but no significant differences were observed in total energy and dietary macronutrients intake in the three groups. The daily intake of fat and protein, fasting insulin, and HOMA-IR in the NPEF group were significantly higher than those in the HPEF group. Pearson’s correlation analysis showed PEF in PCOS women was negatively correlated with BMI (r= − 0.189, p=0.047) and HOMA-IR (log-transformed) (r= − 0.217, p=0.022). Further, stepwise multivariate linear regression analysis showed PEF was negatively correlated with HOMA-IR (p< 0.05).
Conclusion: The percentage of daily energy intake from fat is negatively correlated with IR in women with PCOS.
Keywords: the percentage of daily energy intake from fat, polycystic ovary syndrome, insulin resistance, daily dietary intake, obesity