ANTHROPOMETRIC AND LIFESTYLE CORRELATES OF POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME: A RETROSPECTIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL ANALYSIS

Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a multifactorial endocrine disorder commonly associated with obesity and unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. Modifiable factors such as fast food consumption and lack of physical activity may influence the severity and progression of PCOS. Objective: To assess the anthropometric profile and evaluate the prevalence of fast food consumption and regular physical activity among women diagnosed with PCOS in a tertiary care setting. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed the clinical records of 150 women diagnosed with PCOS at Department of Gynaecology & Obstetrics, Varun Arjun Medical College & Rohilkhand Hospital. Data on age, weight, height, BMI, fast food intake, and physical activity status were extracted. Descriptive statistics were applied, and Chi-square tests were used to examine associations between BMI categories and lifestyle behaviors. Results:The mean age of participants was 29.92 ± 5.28 years, and the mean BMI was 25.58 ± 4.24 kg/m². Fast food consumption was reported by 81 participants (54.0%), and 69 (46.0%) did not consume fast food. Regular physical activity was reported by only 8 participants (5.3%), while 142 (94.70%) were physically inactive. There was no significant association between BMI and fast food consumption (p =0.051), but a statistically significant association was found between BMI and physical activity (p = 0.041), with higher BMI associated with lower levels of exercise. Conclusion: The majority of women with PCOS exhibited elevated BMI and a sedentary lifestyle. Although fast food consumption was common across BMI groups, physical inactivity was significantly more prevalent among overweight and obese individuals. These findings highlight the need for targeted lifestyle interventions focusing on physical activity as part of routine PCOS management.