Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (Jun 2018)

Effect of High Fibre, Low Calorie Balanced Diet in Obese Women with Hirsutism: A Randomised Clinical Trail

  • Atefeh Krouni,
  • Sedighe Forouhari,
  • Marzieh Akbarzadeh,
  • Mohammad Hossein Dabbaghmanesh,
  • Farideh Jowkar,
  • Mousa Salehi,
  • Elnazkhayer,
  • Ferdows Mohammad Alian

DOI
https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2018/30133.11686
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 6
pp. IC06 – IC09

Abstract

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Introduction: Hirsutism is both an endocrine and cosmetic problem therefore, it becomes necessary for investigations to be carried out to determine the probability of an underlying disease, its effect on sexual performance and reproduction. The appropriate diet composition for individuals with hirsutism has not been specified yet. Aim: To investigate the effect of high fibre, low caloric balanced diet on some related hormone levels in obese or overweight women with hirsutism in Iran. Materials and Methods: In the present randomised clinical trial, 50 obese or overweight women suffering from hirsutism were randomly assigned into two groups. The intervention group received a high fibre, low caloric balanced diet while the control group followed a normal diet for three months. The level of Body Mass Index (BMI) was measured and blood sampling (on the 3rd-5th day of menstruation) was carried out before and 12 weeks after the intervention, and the collected data were analysed using SPSS software version 22.0. Results: Variations in BMI in intervention group was seen. There was an average reduction of 1.89 units in intervention group while it was increased by 0.3 units in the control group. This observed difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). The observed variation in the level of free testosterone hormone in the two groups was significant (p=0.034) i.e., mean±SD free testosterone in intervention group (before intervention was 0.49±0.49 and after intervention was 0.43±0.57) and in control group (before 0.38±0.30 and after it was 0.49±0.57). Moreover, there was a remarkable decrease in LH hormone and increase in Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) was also observed. Conclusion: A high fibre diet led to a decrease in BMI in the intervention group, and this decrease had a remarkable effect on improvement of androgenic parameters; as a result, it is recommended that the diet of individuals with hirsutism should be considered and attended.

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