Intuitive eating is positively associated with body appreciation and other biopsychosocial measures in individuals with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)/polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS): A cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)/polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), is the most common female endocrine disorder, presenting with reproductive, metabolic, psychological, and social complications. Current lifestyle modifications focus on weight loss, despite PCOS/PMOS affecting individuals across body sizes and the high prevalence of disordered eating. Thus, alternative treatment approaches, such as intuitive eating, should be explored.

OBJECTIVE

The primary objective was to describe intuitive eating behaviors in individuals with PCOS/PMOS. The secondary objective was to examine the associations between intuitive eating and biopsychosocial factors related to the disease, including body appreciation, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), psychological symptoms, social support, and diet quality.

DESIGN

This study was a cross-sectional online survey.

PARTICIPANTS/

SETTING

Individuals living in the United States with a self-reported PCOS/PMOS diagnosis (n=342), between ages 18-40 years, were recruited online using social media between March 2023 and January 2024.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Main outcomes included intuitive eating, body appreciation, HRQOL, psychological symptoms, social support, and diet quality.

STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Multiple linear regression analyses explored relationships between intuitive eating and biopsychosocial measures, with age, length of time since diagnosis, and BMI as covariates.

RESULTS

Individuals with PCOS/PMOS (79.2% white, 83.9% non-Hispanic, mean [SD], 30.8 [4.8] years) had moderate intuitive eating scores (mean [SD], 3.0 [0.6]; 75th percentile: 3.4, possible range 1-5). Intuitive eating scores were positively associated with body appreciation (ß= 0.496, p<0.001), HRQOL (ß= 0.250, p<0.001), diet quality (ß= 0.210, p<0.001), and tangible social support (ß= 0.190, p<0.001) Additionally, intuitive eating scores were negatively associated with psychological symptoms (ß= -0.257, p<0.001), and psychological symptoms subscales, depression (ß= -0.230, p<0.001), anxiety (ß= -0.172, p<0.05), and stress (ß= -0.282, p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Greater self-report of intuitive eating practices was associated with more favorable biopsychosocial measures, highlighting intuitive eating as an area for future research in PCOS/PMOS populations.