Evaluation of nutritional status, eating behavior and quality of life in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycyctic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy affecting reproductive aged women. PCOS is complex with reproductive, metabolic and psychological features. The aim of the study was to evaluate the nutritional status, eating behaviour and quality of life in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This is a, carried out at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics Outpatient Clinic in Sahinbey Research and Practice Hospital between September 2019-February 2020. Study was a descriptive cross-sectional study, carried out on 42 women diagnosed with PCOS. General characteristics and health status were recorded with face-to-face interviews. For two consecutive days 24-h dietary intake, food frequency, physical activity status, three factor eating behavior (TFEQ-R21) and quality of life (PCOSQ-50), biochemical indicators and blood pressure was determined and anthropometric variables were measured. Mean (±SD) age and body mass index (BMI) were 23.0±4.15 years and 23.5±4.08 kg/m2 respectively, and 7.1% of subjects was obese (BMI: ≥30 kg/m2) and 23.8% was overweight (BKI: 25,0-29,9 kg/m2). Out of total, 69% of subjects had waist circumference in risk (80-88 cm) and high risk (≥88 cm) categories, 38.1% had waist/height ratio and 33.3% had body fat percentage in normal limits. High levels of fasting blood glucose (19.0%), HOMA-IR (23.8%), LDL-C (33.3%), and low level of HDL-C (59.5%) were determined. Serum vitamin D levels were deficient (<20 ng/L) in 88,1% of subjects and vitamin B12 were deficient (<180 ng/L) in 38,1%. Average metabolic equivalent (MET) value was 519,75 min/week (low) and physical activity level (PAL) value was 1,63±0,16 (low). The average daily dietary energy intake (± SD) was 1628.2 ± 364.5 kcal. and 50.4% of energy was provided from carbohydrates, 13.2% from protein and 36.4% from fat. It was determined that dietary intake of folate, biotin, many vitamins (B1, B2, niacin, B6, B12, C, D) and minerals (K, Mg, Ca, Fe, Zn, I) were below the recommended intakes. The mean score of adherence to Mediterranean diet (PREDIMED) was 6.09 ± 1.42, 61.9% of the subjects had moderate adherence (6-9 points) and 38.1% had poor adherence (≤5 points). The mean score of eating behavior scale (TFEQ-R21) was 47.5 ± 11.54 and life quality (PCOSQ-50) scale was 140.8±31.9. A positive correlation was found between BMI and HOMA-IR, LDL-C, and a negative correlation between HDL-C (p<0,05). A positive correlation was found between BMI, body fat percentage and waist-to-height ratio and TFEQ-R21 (p<0,05). A weak negative correlation was found between PCOSQ-50 and BMI and waist-to-height ratio (p<0.05). In conclusion, health risks such as obesity, insulin resistance and dyslipidemia have been found to be high in women with PCOS. The diets of women with PCOS were found to be insufficient in terms of vitamins, minerals and fiber, and were high in fat. Inadequate physical activitiy level, inadequate eating behaviors and low quality of life were determined. Lifestyle changes, including dietary intervention and increased physical activity and lifetime sustainability is should be encouraged in women with PCOS for the reduction of PCOS-related symptoms and health risks. Key Words: Polycystic ovary syndrome, nutritional status, eating behaviour, quality of life