In individuals with polycystic ovary syndrome, a specific type of body fat around the hips and thighs appears to lower risk primarily by improving how the body responds to insulin, with fasting insulin levels accounting for most of this protective effect.

Women of European ancestry with a genetic tendency to store more fat around the hips and thighs have a 15.5% lower risk of developing polycystic ovary syndrome, likely due to better insulin regulation and lower leptin levels, compared to those with different fat distribution patterns.

Women with PCOS are more sensitive to the negative effects of fat in the blood — their muscles struggle much more to use sugar when fat levels rise, compared to women without PCOS.

People with more fat around the abdomen compared to fat around the hips and thighs have a higher likelihood of developing polycystic ovary syndrome.

Higher levels of the hormone leptin explain about half of why fat stored around the hips and thighs is linked to a lower risk of polycystic ovary syndrome, as leptin influences how the body manages energy and reproductive hormones.

Eating fewer calories might help women with a health condition called PCOS by lowering certain hormone levels, making their bodies respond better to sugar, and helping them have regular periods.