<p>Binge eating in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: prevalence, causes, and management strategies</p>

Abstract

Emerging evidence suggests that disordered eating, particularly binge-eating symptomatology, is overrepresented within Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) populations. This comorbidity presents a clinical dilemma as current treatment approaches for PCOS emphasize the importance of weight management, diet, exercise, and the potential for harm of such treatment approaches in PCOS patients with comorbid disordered eating. However, limited research has assessed the occurrence of binge eating and disordered eating in PCOS patients. Consequently, little is known about the prevalence of binge eating in PCOS, and the possible etiological processes to explain this comorbidity remain poorly understood. Given the paucity of research on this topic, the aims of this narrative review are fourfold: 1) to outline the main symptoms of PCOS and binge eating; 2) to provide an overview of the prevalence of binge eating in PCOS; 3) to outline possible etiological factors for the comorbidity between PCOS and binge eating; and 4) to provide an overview of management strategies of binge eating in PCOS.

Disordered Eating Behaviours and Eating Disorders in Women in Australia with and Without Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…We also extend previous research by examining a range of eating disorders in PCOS. We confirm prior reports that binge-eating disorder was the most prevalent eating disorder in PCOS [40], which is proposed to be likely as a result of an interplay between hormonal, psychological and metabolic influences [40]. Binge-eating disorder is also the most prevalent in the general population and as such results may also be a reflection of this [27].…”

“…The association here between higher BMI and both disordered eating and eating disorders is consistent with prior literature in the general population [43]. Higher BMI can lower body esteem and body satisfaction as well as alter eating behaviour [15], with these factors also known to contribute to disordered eating, particularly binge-eating [29,40]. Hormonal dysregulation impacting brain function may also be associated with higher BMI [44], with increasing fat mass influencing leptin and insulin resistance, suppressing satiety signals and permitting the over-consumption of food [45,46,47].…”

“…Lower levels of testosterone have been observed with anorexia nervosa [41]. As androgens have been proposed to act as appetite-stimulants, induce binge-eating behaviours and impair impulse control [42], the elevated levels of testosterone commonly observed in PCOS may explain the more common observance of binge-eating behaviours in comparison to anorexia nervosa [11,40].…”

“…We also report here on psychopathologies common within the spectrum of eating disorders, including dietary restraint as a prospective risk factor for the development of disordered eating and eating disorders involving binge-eating behaviours [40]. Strategies such as calorie counting, limiting energy-dense foods and portion control are frequently incorporated into weight loss programs and are thought to be a successful predictor for weight loss in the general population [55].…”

Loss of Control Eating and Health Indicators Over 6 Years in Adolescents Undergoing Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery

“…It has been speculated that this is due to poorer dietary quality and/or excess energy intake in those with LOC eating (10). Binge eating (LOC accompanied by consumption of an objectively large amount of food) in adults has been associated with other comorbid health conditions, including gastrointestinal symptoms (11) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (12), perhaps through mediating or moderating effects of stress, inflammation, and/or hormonal factors (13,14). Associations between these conditions and LOC eating have not been explored in youth, or in the context of MBS.…”