Investigation of Dietary Habits, Anthropometric Profile, and Hormone Levels of Women of Childbearing Age With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

TL;DR

This study examines the diet, body composition, and hormone levels of women with PCOS in Pakistan, highlighting unhealthy habits and the need for lifestyle interventions.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into PCOS characteristics in a South Asian population with limited prior data.

Findings

Participants showed high rates of overweight and central adiposity.

Unhealthy dietary patterns, including low milk/yogurt and high processed food intake, were observed.

No significant correlations were found between anthropometric measures and hormone levels.

Abstract

Background

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder characterized by metabolic, reproductive, and hormonal abnormalities. Dietary pattern, body composition, and hormonal imbalance play key roles in its presentation; however, data from South Asian populations remain limited. This study aimed to assess dietary habits, anthropometric characteristics, and hormone levels among women of reproductive age with PCOS.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 women diagnosed with PCOS attending outpatient clinics at tertiary-care hospitals in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Sociodemographic information, dietary intake, and lifestyle behaviors were recorded using a structured questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements included body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and total/free testosterone levels were analyzed. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and one-way ANOVA were performed using SPSS (IBM Corp., Armonk, USA).

Results

Participants had a mean age of 30.8 ± 5.3 years and a mean BMI of 30.7 ± 3.7 kg/m². Central adiposity was prevalent, with a mean waist circumference of 87.45 ± 3.62 cm and a mean WHR of 0.78 ± 0.12. Painful menstruation (56%), acne (52%), weight gain (52%), and difficulty conceiving (45%) were frequently reported. Dietary intake patterns showed low consumption of milk and yogurt, high intake of oils and processed foods, and suboptimal hydration levels. Mean hormonal values were 7.98 ± 1.11 IU/L (LH), 3.35 ± 0.66 IU/L (FSH), and 3.07 ± 0.63 ng/dL (testosterone). No significant correlations were observed between anthropometric measures and hormone levels. BMI did not differ significantly across physical activity categories (p = 0.645).

Conclusion

Women with PCOS in this cohort exhibited high rates of overweight and central adiposity alongside unhealthy dietary patterns and common clinical symptoms. Although anthropometric and hormonal parameters were not significantly associated, the findings underscore the need for lifestyle-focused interventions targeting nutrition and physical activity in PCOS management. Further research, including metabolic biomarkers and longitudinal designs, is recommended to better understand these relationships in South Asian populations.