Body composition characteristics and body fat distribution in lean women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Body composition, fat distribution and bone mineral density were examined i n lean women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and compared w ith body composition and fat distribution characteristics of weight-matched lean controls, Ten women with PCOS and a body mass index (BMI) below 25.00 (kg/m(2)) and 10 healthy women with a BMI below 25.00 (kg/m2) matched for age and weight and BMI as controls were enrolled in this study. Body compos ition and bone density were measured by dual-energy- x-ray-absorptiometry a nd fat distribution patterns were calculated. Although matched for age, wei ght and BMI, lean PCOS patients showed a significantly higher amount of bod y fat and lower amount of lean body mass than the controls. The majority of PCOS patients showed an intermediate or android kind of fat distribution. Only 30% of the lean PCOS patients corresponded to the definition of gynoid fat distribution while this was true of all lean controls.