The experiences of women with polycystic ovary syndrome on a very low-calorie diet

Figures & data

Table 1 Types of weight loss intervention tried

Weight loss intervention	Cases	Count
Dieting	PCOS1, PCOS2, PCOS3, PCOS4, PCOS5, PCOS6, PCOS7, PCOS8, PCOS9, PCOS10	10
Exercise	PCOS1, PCOS3, PCOS4, PCOS5, PCOS7, PCOS8, PCOS9	7
Medication	PCOS1, PCOS5, PCOS9, PCOS10	4

Table 2 Motivations for losing weight

Motivation for losing weight	Cases	Count
Health	PCOS1, PCOS2, PCOS6, PCOS9, PCOS10	5
Fertility	PCOS1, PCOS4, PCOS5, PCOS9	4
Appearance	PCOS3, PCOS7, PCOS8	3

Table 3 Efficacy of other weight loss interventions

Weight loss	Cases	Count
Dieting and exercise – no weight lost or weight was regained	PCOS1, PCOS2, PCOS3, PCOS4, PCOS5, PCOS6, PCOS7, PCOS8, PCOS9, PCOS10	10
Medication – no weight lost or weight was regained	PCOS1, PCOS5, PCOS10	3
Dieting and exercise – weight lost	PCOS2, PCOS4	2
Medication – weight lost	PCOS9	1

Table 4 Effectiveness of VLCD-based LighterLife Total

Efficacy	Cases	Count
Rapid weight loss	PCOS1, PCOS2, PCOS3, PCOS4, PCOS5, PCOS6, PCOS7, PCOS8, PCOS9, PCOS10	10
Adopted healthier lifestyle	PCOS1, PCOS2, PCOS3, PCOS4, PCOS5, PCOS7, PCOS8, PCOS10	8
Simple to follow	PCOS1, PCOS2, PCOS3, PCOS10	4
Improvement in fertility/menstrual cycle	PCOS5, PCOS6, PCOS7	3
Improvement self-confidence	PCOS7	1

Abbreviation: VLCD, very low-calorie diet.

Table 5 Usefulness of counseling

Assessment	Cases	Count
Useful – unqualified	PCOS1, PCOS3, PCOS4, PCOS10	4
Useful – modifications required	PCOS2, PCOS5, PCOS6, PCOS9	4
Not useful	PCOS7, PCOS8	2

Table 6 Problems with VLCD-based LighterLife Total

Problems	Cases	Count
Cost	PCOS1, PCOS3, PCOS4, PCOS5, PCOS6, PCOS7, PCOS8, PCOS9	8
Health	PCOS3, PCOS4, PCOS8	3
Social costs	PCOS1, PCOS4, PCOS5	3
Attitude of others	PCOS6	1

Abbreviation: VLCD, very low-calorie diet.

Table 7 Model intervention

Dimension	Cases	Count
Food	PCOS2, PCOS5, PCOS6	3
Meetings	PCOS6, PCOS9	2
Exercise	PCOS2	1
Speed of weight change	PCOS4	1