EFFECT OF A TRADITIONAL GARCINIA CAMBOGIA–BASED FUNCTIONAL FOOD INTERVENTION ON BODY COMPOSITION, METABOLIC PARAMETERS, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AMONG YOUNG WOMEN WITH POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME: A 12-WEEK PRE-POST INTERVENTION STUDY

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine and metabolic disorder among women of reproductive age and is frequently associated with obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia, and impaired psychological well-being. Lifestyle modification remains the first-line approach for PCOS management. Traditional food-based interventions incorporating Garcinia cambogia have attracted increasing attention because of their hydroxycitric acid (HCA) content and potential role in weight management. Objective: To evaluate the effects of a structured traditional dietary intervention incorporating a Garcinia cambogia-based functional food on body composition, biochemical parameters, dietary intake, and psychological well-being among young women with PCOS. Methods: A 12-week single-group pre-post intervention study was conducted among 34 young women aged 19–23 years diagnosed with PCOS according to the Rotterdam criteria. Participants received individualized calorie-controlled dietary plans, weekly nutrition education and lifestyle counselling, and daily supplementation with a Garcinia cambogia based functional bite. Anthropometric measurements, body composition, biochemical parameters, dietary intake, and psychological well-being were assessed at baseline and after completion of the intervention. Hydroxycitric acid content of Garcinia cambogia powder was analytically determined by high-performance liquid chromatography and was found to be 25.82%. Results: Significant reductions were observed in body weight (72.90 ± 10.07 kg to 66.48 ± 7.53 kg; p < 0.001), body mass index (28.56 ± 4.11 kg/m² to 27.12 ± 3.09 kg/m²; p = 0.003), and body fat percentage (32.58 ± 6.99% to 27.79 ± 8.14%; p = 0.001). Fasting blood glucose levels improved significantly (90.31 ± 10.44 mg/dL to 87.96 ± 4.80 mg/dL; p = 0.004). Protein intake increased from 43.92 ± 8.89 g/day to 77.60 ± 4.89 g/day (p < 0.001), and improvements in psychological well-being were observed. Changes in total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and testosterone concentrations were not statistically significant. Conclusion: A traditional dietary intervention incorporating a Garcinia cambogia-based functional food was associated with improvements in body composition, glycaemic status, dietary behaviour, and psychological well-being among young women with PCOS. However, the findings should be interpreted cautiously because of the single-group pre-post design and the absence of a concurrent control group. Larger randomized controlled studies with longer follow-up periods are warranted to confirm these findings.