Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most prevalent endocrine illnesses in females of reproductive age, exhibiting systemic metabolic symptoms. The study was designed to compare meal patterns and physical ativity levels between women with PCOS and healthy women.
Methods: A quantitative case-control study was conducted at Tikrit Teaching Hospitl and gynecology outpation clinics in Tikrit city, Iraq. A purposive sample of 200 women (100 cases with PCOS and 100 controls). Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing demographic data, meal patterns and physical activity. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.
Result: the data revealed that no significant differences were found between women with PCOS and healthy women regarding meal frequency, breackfast consumption and late night eating. However, a highly significant difference was observerd in snacking behavior(p=0.001). and review high rate of physical inactivity was observed in both group with 87% of women in the PCOS not engaging in regular exercise and 89% reporting activity sessions of less than 15 minutes.
Conclusion: women with PCOS often follow unhealthy eating habits and high levels of physical inactivity. Intervention focusing on healthy diet and engage in regular physical activity are beneficial for improving metabolic health and reducing symptom exacerbating in women with PCOS.