Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multisystem disease affecting females of childbearing age. This disease imposes a huge economic, social and psychological burden on the patient. The first line management of PCOS is lifestyle modification. However, there are no Sri Lankan data about the diet and physical activity of these women. This is a case-control study to compare the dietary habits and physical activity between 99 hirsute-PCOS women and 100 age-matched controls. We compared the dietary intake and physical activity of the two groups using a validated food frequency chart and a physical activity questionnaire. The Student t test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistical analysis. Food consumption pattern was similar in both groups except for a significantly higher consumption of eggs, refined carbohydrates, pulses and grains in controls. PCOS patents in the BMI category of 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m² consumed significantly less amounts of fish, eggs, dairy products, pulses and grains. With regard to physical activity, light, moderate and heavy exercise was significantly higher in controls. It is concluded that hirsute PCOS women seem to have different dietary habit and reduced physical activity than controls.

Keywords: Nutrition, Polycystic ovary syndrome, Physical activity, Hirsutism