Dietary Intake, Eating Behaviors and Body Image among Women with and without Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the cause of infertility among 75% of women. This study aimed to assess dietary intake, eating behaviors and body image among women with and without PCOS. Methods: Totally, 116 patients with PCOS and 116 subjects without PCOS who referred to Hazrat Zeinab Hospital affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran were enrolled. In this cross-sectional, descriptive analytical study, the demographic and 24- hour diet recall, emotional eating (EEQ), and multidimensional bodyself relationship (MBSRQ) questionnaires and physical activity were recorded for all participants. Results: The percentage of dietary protein (p=0.005) and eicosapentaenoic acid intake (p=0.024) in non-PCOS group was significantly higher than PCOS patients. There was a difference between the two groups regarding mean body mass index (BMI) (p=0.001), physical activity (p=0.327), EEQ (p=0.153) and the individual’s attitude toward the mental image of their body by MBSRQ (p=0.377). No significant difference was noted among PCOS patients regarding carbohydrate, fiber, and saturated fatty acid intake, when compared with non-PCOS group. Conclusion: MBSRQ and EEQ scores were lower among PCOS patients, denoting to the need for investigation on a larger sample size.