Body mass index and quality of life in individuals with polycystic ovary syndrome: Dysmorphic concerns and eating disorders as mediators

Abstract

ObjectiveWeight issues, dysmorphic concerns and eating disorders are common among individuals with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and are linked to poor quality of life (QoL). The goal of the current study was to examine whether the association between body mass index (BMI) and QoL was mediated by dysmorphic concerns, examining also the relations with eating disorder symptomatology.MethodsQuestionnaires were administered to 435 individuals with PCOS aged between 18 and 40 years (M = 27.62; SD = 4.83) to measure dysmorphic concerns, eating disorder symptoms and QoL. Participants were also asked to report their height and weight to compute their BMI.ResultsStructural equation modeling was used to observe the relationship between the variables. The results revealed a direct relationship between QoL, BMI, dysmorphic concerns and eating disorder symptomatology. In addition, dysmorphic concerns were related to BMI and eating disorder symptomatology. Furthermore, the results showed the mediating role of dysmorphic concerns and eating disorder symptoms in the relationship between BMI and QoL.ConclusionThe current results highlight the potential importance of harmful relationships with one's own body and food, explaining why weight issues may be linked to different levels of QoL in PCOS individuals. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Eating disorders associated with polycystic ovary syndrome, a literature review

“…5 Body image disturbance is a major factor in eating disorders, which can include irregular eating, restricted diets, and focus on body weight. 16 Excessive insulin and testosterone can spur an intense craving for carbs, signifying PCOS and BED 6 BED appears to be a factor in both obesity and disturbances in insulin regulation 7 Generally, fluctuating hormones during a menstrual cycle can influence food cravings and associated eating behavior 6 in PCOS women with ED. 30 Stress can cause a surge in appetite, resulting in overindulging and a higher Body Mass Index (BMI) in women with PCOS.…”

“…12 To sum it all up, severely heightened eating disorders can drastically reduce the quality of life to a very alarming degree. 16 The most common eating disorder observed in women with PCOS is BED 4 No AN-BP diagnosis was observed in PCOS individuals. 4 A meta-analysis investigation revealed that there was no statistical relationship between PCOS and AN-BP.…”

“…26 Body image disturbances, anxiety towards specific food types, distorted perceptions, and low self-esteem based primarily on body weight have all been linked to disordered eating practices in PCOS patients. 4,16,26 Disordered eating appears to be used as a functional and emotional management technique by people who experience higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms. 2,5,11,12 In several studies examined, authors reported that when comparing PCOS patients to controls, disordered eating, but not eating disorders, were more common.…”

“…13,14 Food restriction, binge eating, purging, the use of laxatives, diet medication, and excessive exercise are all behaviors that fall under the category of eating disorders.⁴ The impact of an ED and its symptoms on all aspects of a person's life has been widely documented, with studies finding decreased interpersonal functioning as well as mental and physical concerns that are associated with higher morbidity and healthcare expenses. [15][16][17][18] As a result, DOI: 10.51271/JCOGP-0023 eating disorders exacerbate obesity and metabolic syndrome, creating a perpetual vicious cycle [19].BED is the most common ED associated with women suffering from PCOS.⁵ Overall, this present review adopts an integrative theoretical conception that aspires to shed light on the co-existence of different types of ED (BED, BN, EED, NES, AN) and (PCOS). PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched for reviews on this issue.…”

Body Image and Other Mood Vulnerabilities in Adolescents with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Metabolic Alterations

“…Up to 80% of PCOS women exhibit IR, which is independent of body mass index (BMI) and plays an important role in the clinical presentation and development of several metabolic alterations [7]. In adult women diagnosed with PCOS, BMI has been reported to correlate with poor quality of life (QoL), not only directly but also indirectly through the mediation of dysmorphic concerns [8]. Previous studies have shown that BMI is a predictor of body dissatisfaction in young adolescent girls [9].…”