Weight and PCOS: chicken or the egg?
by Claudia Madrid - dietetic intern
You did NOT cause your PCOS. Period.
A lot of the current narrative around weight and PCOS is filled with blame, shame and misconceptions. Today I want to dispel some of those misconceptions and help lead you to a place of peace with food and your body.
The truth is, there are many factors that can contribute to PCOS. Current research suggests PCOS is a result of genetic and environmental factors.
For most people with PCOS, insulin resistance is involved (Check out the previous post on insulin resistance). High circulating insulin can lead to unexplained weight gain. Wanting to lose this weight makes so much sense. However, what diet culture doesn’t tell you- the vast majority of folks who try to lose weight, gain all or more of it back within 5 years. For folks with PCOS, insulin resistance can make this even more true.
It is also important to note that people with PCOS may be at a higher risk for eating disorders and disordered eating.
Insulin resistance can be a factor in extreme carb cravings that may lead to binging
People with PCOS are at an increased risk for anxiety and depression
Folks with PCOS are also a target for diet culture due to fatphobia and the restrictive nature of traditional nutrition recommendations for insulin resistance
Disordered eating and dieting can lead to weight cycling over time, which in and of itself can lead to weight gain as your body tries to protect itself from starvation. This can also make it hard for folks to know where their bodies might settle if they focused on self care instead of weight control.
We know a predictor of binging is restriction (aka dieting). This can actually exacerbate blood sugar issues and insulin resistance, whereas an intuitive, mindful approach can reduce binging AND support bodies with insulin resistance.
Ultimately, weight control is doing WAY more harm than good for all people, but especially those with PCOS. You deserve better.
You CAN manage your diagnosis and I would love to support you on your journey through this through 1:1 coaching, to learn more about this, you can find that here.
Are you planning or experiencing pregnancy? The Fully Nourished Pregnancy Course offers a well rounded approach to prenatal and pregnancy nutrition for people with PCOS and others who may be at risk for gestational diabetes.
