NEW DELHI: A sedentary lifestyle, bad food habits and obesity are some of the leading causes of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) among Indian teenagers, with an estimated 10-30 percent adolescent girls being affected by it, health experts say.

"There is a strong association of obesity and PCOS, especially when it happens around adolescence. The incidence of PCOS is rising and lifestyle changes, nutrition and dietary factors play a large role in this," Ranjana Sharma, senior consultant - gynaecology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, told IANS.

Agreed Sandeep Chadha, executive consultant, obstetrics and gynecology, Jaypee Hospital, Noida, who said that hormonal imbalance is the major "culprit" in PCOS cases.

Among other reasons, he listed obesity, sudden weight gain and, in some cases, genetic conditions.

"In the past one decade, a sedentary lifestyle has taken the first place to create hormonal imbalance, and this leads to PCOS. If we look at urban India, approximately 15 percent young girls are falling to PCOS every year in India," Chadha told.

PCOS leads to the formation of multiple cysts in the ovary and excessive production of androgens (male hormones) and also causes increased facial and body hair, menstrual irregularities and acne.

"Symptoms like weight gain, patches of the dark skin on the back of neck and other areas, irregular periods, unwanted hair growth and acne can lead to PCOS," Hrishikesh Pai, infertility expert at Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital, told.

"However, not every individual develops PCOS if she has all of these symptoms. Different people have different symptoms with differing levels of severity," Pai said.

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