Weight gain in PCOS is largely driven by insulin resistance, which makes the body more likely to store fat and harder to lose it through diet and exercise alone, even when calorie intake is well controlled. This is why many women with PCOS feel that standard weight loss advice does not work for them in the same way it does for others. Improving insulin sensitivity through a combination of dietary changes focused on lower glycaemic index foods, regular strength and cardiovascular exercise, and in some cases medication, addresses the underlying metabolic driver rather than relying on calorie restriction alone. Dr Vineetha Kiran builds this into her PCOS management plans at Kiran Speciality Hospital, Hassan, since weight management here requires a different strategy than for women without insulin resistance.
