The Association between Body Image and Eating Disorders, Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in Hamedan, Iran

Background: Given the various issues that Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can cause in women and the need to address its consequences and provide solutions to improve the course of the disease and alleviate its symptoms, the present study aimed to investigate the association between body image and eating disorders, anxiety, and depression in individuals with PCOS.Methods: This observational study was conducted on 150 girls with PCOS in Hamadan, Iran in 2023. Convenience sampling method was used to select unmarried girls of reproductive age with PCOS. The participants were asked to complete certain questionnaires, including demographic questionnaires, the eating disorders examination questionnaire (EDE-QS), the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), and the body shape questionnaire (BSQ). The collected data were analyzed using Stata-13 software, with a significance level of P<0.05.Results: The multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that individuals with concerns about their body image had a significantly higher risk of disordered eating, approximately 25 times greater than those without concerns after adjusting for BMI, age, and PCO duration (Odds Ratio [OR]=29.25; 95%CI: 6.22, 137.67; P<0.001). The results of the logistic regression indicated that individuals with body image concerns were 2.23 times more likely to experience depression (OR=2.23; 95%CI: 1.16, 4.30; P=0.02) and two times more likely to experience anxiety (OR=2.00; 95%CI: 1.04, 3.84; P=0.04) compared with those without concerns.Conclusions: Large number of girls are concerned about their body image. This causes eating disorders, anxiety and depression in these people. These findings highlight the importance of providing timely and appropriate treatment for PCO.