Dietary patterns among women with polycystic ovary syndrome in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional comparison with women without PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder associated with reproductive and metabolic complications, for which dietary modification is an important component of management. Although previous studies have examined dietary patterns among women with PCOS, evidence from low- and middle-income countries, particularly Bangladesh, remains limited. The aim of the study was to assess the current dietary practices of women diagnosed with PCOS in Bangladesh, compare them with those of women without PCOS, and explore sociodemographic differences in dietary behaviors among women with PCOS. A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted among 546 women aged 15 to 30 years, 273 women with PCOS and 273 women without PCOS, who were consecutively recruited from six hospitals in Bangladesh. Structured interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to gather dietary habits and sociodemographic data. After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, separate ordered logistic regression models were fitted for each food item, with consumption frequency (daily, weekly, or monthly/rarely) as the ordinal outcome variable. Women with PCOS had significantly higher consumption of fish and lower consumption of fast food, dairy products, and tea/coffee; however, no substantial differences were observed in fruit, vegetable, meat, or carbonated beverage consumption between the two groups after adjusting for sociodemographic factors. Within the PCOS group, employed, younger and underweight participants reported higher fast food consumption. Conversely, higher educational attainment was found to be associated with greater daily intake of fruits and vegetables among women with PCOS. Women with PCOS reported different dietary behaviors compared with women without PCOS, including higher fish consumption and lower intake of fast food, dairy products, and tea or coffee, though important nutritional gaps such as low fruit and vegetable intake remained. In Bangladesh, these findings provide insights into dietary behaviors among women with PCOS and may help inform future research and the development of culturally appropriate dietary guidance. Future longitudinal studies are needed to better understand dietary behaviors over time in this population.