title: Effect of meal frequency on glucose and insulin levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomised trial.
abstract: The aim of the study was to compare the effect of two-meal patterns (three vs six meals per day) on glucose and insulin levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
  
  
  
  In a randomised, crossover, 24-week study, 40 women with PCOS, aged 27±6 years, body mass index 27±6 kg/m(2), followed a weight maintenance diet (% carbohydrates:protein:fat, 40:25:35), consumed either as a three- or a six-meal pattern, with each intervention lasting for 12 weeks. Anthropometric measurements, diet compliance and subjective hunger, satiety and desire to eat were assessed biweekly. All women underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with 75 g glucose for measurement of plasma glucose and insulin at the beginning and end of each intervention. HaemoglobinA1c (HbA1c), blood lipids and hepatic enzymes were measured at the beginning and end of each intervention.
  
  
  
  Body weight remained stable throughout the study. Six meals decreased significantly fasting insulin (P=0.014) and post-OGTT insulin sensitivity (Matsuda index, P=0.039) vs three meals. After incorporation of individual changes over time, with adjustment for potential confounders, the only variable that remained significant was the Matsuda index, which was then used in multivariate analysis and general linear models. Six meals improved post-OGTT insulin sensitivity independently of age and body weight vs three meals (P=0.012). No significant differences were found between six and three meals for glucose, HbA1c, blood lipids, hepatic enzymes, subjective desire to eat and satiety.
  
  
  
  Six meals had a more favourable effect on post-OGTT insulin sensitivity in women with PCOS compared with isocaloric three meals.
authors: Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece.|2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Research Institute and Diabetes Center, Athens University Medical School, Attikon University Hospital, Haidari, Greece.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Papakonstantinou
authors: Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece.
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Kechribari
authors: Hellenic National Center for Research, Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus and its Complications (H.N.D.C), Athens, Greece.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Mitrou
authors: 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Research Institute and Diabetes Center, Athens University Medical School, Attikon University Hospital, Haidari, Greece.|3rd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, Attikon University Hospital, Haidari, Greece.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Trakakis
authors: 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Research Institute and Diabetes Center, Athens University Medical School, Attikon University Hospital, Haidari, Greece.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Vassiliadi
authors: Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Georgousopoulou
authors: Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece.|Department of Nutrition and Health United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Zampelas
authors: Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece.
authors: M D
authors: MD
authors: Kontogianni
authors: 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Research Institute and Diabetes Center, Athens University Medical School, Attikon University Hospital, Haidari, Greece.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Dimitriadis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005215:Fasting / Q000097:blood; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D062407:Meals / Q000502:physiology*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin