PCOS Challenge

PCOS Challenge are videos about polycystic ovary syndrome which support women living with PCOS.[1] They have been on public access television stations. The videos include common PCOS symptoms including infertility, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, anxiety, depression, and hirsutism. The series is produced by William R. Patterson.[2] and Sasha Ottey, president of PCOS Challenge, Inc.

PCOS Challenge
Created bySasha Ottey
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes13 total
Production
Executive producersSasha Ottey
William R. Patterson
Running time30 minutes
Release
Picture format480i (SDTV)
Original release2010 (2010) –
present

Sasha Ottey, a microbiologist started PCOS Challenge after her PCOS diagnosis in 2008.[3]

Vision

The lack of information and research regarding polycystic ovary syndrome, a disease that affects millions of women worldwide, led to the formation of PCOS challenge. Their aim is to make PCOS a public health priority and bridge the information gap to aid successful treatment.[4]

Support Resources

PCOS Challenge, Inc. is a nonprofit organization serving 50,000 members [5] that provides support for women with polycystic ovarian syndrome through television and radio programming, educational workshops, and online and offline support networks.[6][7]

PCOS Challenge Radio Show

In a bid to spread greater awareness about PCOS and related conditions, Sasha Ottey (Founder and Executive Director of PCOS Challenge, Inc.) hosts a popular radio show - PCOS Challenge® radio show. The primary aim of the show is to interview experts, authors and feature rivetting stories from women who've endured the hardships that come along with living with PCOS.

Season one

The show follows ten women with PCOS who are coached by registered dietitian Rebecca Mohning, fitness trainer Josef Brandenburg, and clinical psychologist Ruth Wittersgreen. The women are also guided by alternative and traditional medical experts including reproductive endocrinologists, dermatologists, acupuncturists, and naturopathic physicians.[8]

For nutrition, much of the focus was on eating a low-carbohydrate diet to help improve insulin sensitivity that seems to be at the root of many of the problems associated with PCOS. The women take fish oil and vitamin D to help improve their insulin sensitivity.[9][10][11][12]

In addition to the low-carb diet, the fitness program they was focused on anaerobic exercise — specifically on resistance training and high-intensity interval training.

Episodes

In each episode, the women share their experiences living with polycystic ovary syndrome and learn ways to overcome their challenges with the condition.

Ep # Title
1"Intro to PCOS Challenge"

The cast and coaches are introduced. The women share some of their biggest struggles living with polycystic ovary syndrome. Clips of their application videos are shown.

Other experts, including reproductive endocrinologists, a dermatologist, an internist, a lipidologist, and a naturopathic physician, give their insight about PCOS. They explain what PCOS is and the symptoms and common treatments. The experts discuss ways women with PCOS can reduce their risk for life-threatening related diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

The women share what is at stake for them if they don't take the condition seriously and start making lifestyle changes.[13]
2"PCOS Nutrition and Exercise Essentials"

The women meet with the coaches for their assessments and action plans for the 13-week challenge. They meet with fitness coach Josef Brandenburg and nutrition coach Rebecca Mohning. Josef starts them on their first workout plans, and Rebecca takes them to the supermarket to give tips about shopping for food.

Host Sasha Ottey visits some of the women’s homes to peek into their kitchens and cabinets to see the foods that they have. Sasha gets a chance to speak to some of the spouses to see how they are handling the changes.[14]
3"PCOS Group Process"

The women meet with emotional wellness coach Dr. Ruth Wittersgreen and engage in a group session where they share their emotional and psychological burdens of having PCOS. The women discover similarities and differences between themselves and start to form a stronger bond with each other.

Dr. Wittersgreen also meets with some of the women individually to speak about how PCOS affects their relationships and quality of life. She shares ways to start improving the effects of PCOS on their emotional health.[15]
4"PCOS and Fertility"
Reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Nancy Durso speaks to the women about PCOS and fertility. The women begin phase two of their workout routines with PCOS Challenge fitness coach Josef Brandenburg to help with insulin resistance related to PCOS.[16]
5"PCOS Integrative Care"
Beth Heller, co-founder of Pulling Down the Moon, shares integrative care approaches to PCOS. The PCOS Challenge coaches discuss the women's progress. The women engage in the week 5 fitness competition.[17]
6"PCOS Diet and Nutrition – Cooking"
Don Shaw, head chef of Diet-to-Go, leads the women in a cooking competition and teaches them how to prepare quick and nutritious meals for PCOS diets.[18]

References
  1. PCOS Magazine - Volume 3, Issue 1, Spring 2010, p.6
  2. http://www.prweb.com/releases/pcos/polycystic-ovarian/prweb4412974.htm
  3. http://pcoschallenge.org/about.aspx
  4. "Polycystic ovary syndrome".
  5. "PCOS CHALLENGE".
  6. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association Archived 2010-03-30 at the Wayback Machine
  7. PCOS Magazine, Volume 2, Issue 2, Nov/Dec 2009, p. 26-27
  8. PCOS Challenge Cast
  9. http://ukpmc.ac.uk/abstract/MED/12800453/reload=0;jsessionid=xTqo7krNs7GMQPpW95MF.6
  10. http://journals.cambridge.org/production/action/cjoGetFulltext?fulltextid=7180956
  11. http://ukpmc.ac.uk/abstract/MED/3038454/reload=0
  12. http://www.fasebj.org/content/23/6/1946.short
  13. PCOS Challenge Television Show Episode 01
  14. PCOS Challenge Television Show Episode 02
  15. PCOS Challenge Television Show Episode 03
  16. PCOS Challenge Television Show Episode 04
  17. PCOS Challenge Television Show Episode 05
  18. PCOS Challenge Television Show Episode 06
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