Polycystic ovary syndrome and body image concerns during adolescence

Marzieh Saei Ghare Naz; Giti Ozgoli; Maryam Mousavi; Fahimeh Ramezani Tehrani

doi:10.1016/j.pedn.2023.05.009

Polycystic ovary syndrome and body image concerns during adolescence

J Pediatr Nurs. 2023 Sep-Oct:72:e1-e9. doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2023.05.009. Epub 2023 Jun 7.

Authors

Marzieh Saei Ghare Naz¹, Giti Ozgoli², Maryam Mousavi³, Fahimeh Ramezani Tehrani⁴

Affiliations

¹ Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
² Midwifery and Reproductive Health Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
³ Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of medical sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
⁴ Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: ramezani@endocrine.ac.ir.

PMID: 37296037
DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2023.05.009

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to compare body image concerns in adolescents with and without PCOS.

Design and methods: This cross-sectional study included 1076 adolescents, including 344 with PCOS and 732 without PCOS. The participants were asked to complete a comprehensive questionnaire that included demographic and reproductive parameters and the body image concerns inventory (BICI) which comprised two factors (1-dissatisfaction and embarrassment about one's appearance and 2-social function due to appearance concerns). Linear regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the effect of hyperandrogenism and/or abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) and/or obesity on BICI and its domains both before and after adjustment for potential confounders.

Results: The result showed that adolescents with PCOS had a worse total BICI score and its domains (p < 0.05). In multivariable-adjusted regression models, adolescents with PCOS were more likely to have a high body image concern (β = 0.05, P < 0.001), while those with high household income were less likely to have body image concern (β = -0.08, P = 0.004). Considering hyperandrogenism status, those with high household income were also less likely to have high body image concern (β = -0.08, P = 0.004), and age of menarche (β = -0.01, P = 0.013) were also inversely associated with total BICI score. Likewise, considering obese status, only high household income (β = -0.08, P = 0.004) was inversely associated with total BICI score. Also, considering menstrual irregularity status, high household income (β = -0.08, P = 0.005), and age of menarche (β = -0.01, P = 0.01) were inversely associated with the total BICI score.

Conclusion: Adolescents with PCOS had higher body image concerns. Apart from the being PCOS label, abnormal uterine bleeding was also a predictor of body image concern.

Practical implications: Clinicians should pay attention to the greater influence of the PCOS label on altered body image in adolescents.

Keywords: Adolescents; Body image; Body image concerns inventory (BICI); Polycystic ovary syndrome.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Body Image
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Hyperandrogenism* / complications
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome* / complications
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome* / diagnosis
Uterine Hemorrhage / complications