Childhood body mass index trajectories in women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome

Zindie Rasmussen; Grith Laerkholm; Pernille Roenn; Rasmus Wibaek; Rikke Jensen

doi:10.1530/endoabs.110.P1009

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Endocrine Abstracts (2025) 110 P1009 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.110.P1009

ECEESPE2025 Poster Presentations Reproductive and Developmental Endocrinology (93 abstracts)

Childhood body mass index trajectories in women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome

Zindie Rasmussen ¹ , Grith Laerkholm ¹ , Pernille Roenn ² , Rasmus Wibaek ² & Rikke Jensen ^1,2,3

Author affiliations

¹Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev Hospital, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Herlev, Denmark; ²Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Clinical and Translational Research, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark; ³University of Copenhagen, Department of Clinical Medicine, Herlev, Denmark

JOINT2773

Background: Most adolescent girls and young women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have an increased body mass index (BMI) compared to the general population. However, the detailed BMI trajectories during childhood among women later diagnosed with PCOS remain poorly understood.

Methods: This retrospective register-based study retrieved data on anthropometric measurements during childhood in women diagnosed with PCOS between 2003 and 2022. Data were obtained from the Danish registries; The National Patient Register, The Children’s Database and The Danish Medical Birth Register. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify distinct BMI trajectories. Additionally, BMI standard deviation score (SDS) was analyzed at 5-10 years of age and at 13-18 years of age. Birth characteristics were investigated by assessing the mean birth weight, mean birth weight (SDS) and mean gestational age.

Results: We identified 16,322 women diagnosed with PCOS between 2003 and 2022. Of these, 1,143 women had ≥3 measurements of height and weight, including birth weight and length, and they were included in the LCA. The LCA revealed three distinct BMI trajectories, all characterized by an early increase in BMI leading to overweight or obesity already during childhood, which persisted into adolescence. However, the trajectories differed in growth pattern, timing, and intensity of BMI change. Median BMI (SDS) was 1.1 (0.2-2.1 IQR) in the 5-10-year age group (n = 599) and 1.2 (0.2-2.1 IQR) in the 13-18-year age group (n = 1,619), suggesting that women later diagnosed with PCOS are overweight throughout childhood and adolescence. Birth characteristics in 16,123 women with PCOS did not differ from the WHO growth standards.

Conclusion: Women with PCOS experience an early and sustained increase in BMI during childhood, which continues into adolescence. The strong correlation between being overweight early in life and later development of PCOS underlines the need for preventive strategies already early in childhood.