Women With PCOS Have More Body Image Concerns: Study

The study reveals PCOS, depression and anxiety have a substantial correlation, it remains unclear whether there is a similar correlation between PCOS and body image issues.

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According to research presented at ENDO 2023, the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in Chicago, women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have more body image concerns than those without the condition. PCOS affects 7 per cent to 10 per cent of females and is the leading cause of infertility. It has also been linked to metabolic health issues such as diabetes, cardiovascular health issues, and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. 

"Although PCOS, depression and anxiety have a substantial correlation, it remained unclear whether there is a similar correlation between PCOS and body image issues," said Punith Kempegowda, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Acute Medicine at the Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham in Birmingham, U.K. 

"If left untreated, body image issues can result in Body Dysmorphic Disorder, a mental health condition in which a person spends a lot of time stressing about imperfections in their looks. This may also increase the risk of developing eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia."

Kempegowda and colleagues conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of all studies on body image concerns published as of July 2022. They identified nine relevant studies, with sample sizes ranging from 33 to 201 for people with PCOS and from 22 to 225 for people without PCOS, resulting in a total of 918 women with PCOS and 865 without PCOS for their review.

The researchers conducted a meta-analysis of three studies using the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire Appearance Scales (MBSRQ-AS). The findings were clinically significant, showing women living with PCOS reported feeling worse on appearance evaluation and appearance orientation compared to those without PCOS.

Kempegowda and the group also completed a meta-analysis of two studies showing significantly greater overweight preoccupation, lower body areas satisfaction, and higher self-classified body weight on MBSRQ-AS subscales in those with PCOS compared to those without the condition.

Finally, a meta-analysis of two studies using the Body Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults (BESAA) showed significantly lower scores for weight satisfaction in women living with PCOS compared to those without. However, there were no statistically significant differences in the BESAA appearance and attribution scores between the two groups.

"Our study emphasizes the need for increased awareness and screening for body image concerns in those with PCOS as it may increase the risk of developing eating disorders and adversely affect their quality of life," Kempegowda said.