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Associations of ultra-processed food consumption and night eating with GI symptom-specific anxiety in reproductive-age women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) presents a multifaceted challenge, characterized not only as an endocrine disorder but also associated with various metabolic issues and specific psychological symptoms. A recent cross-sectional study focused on 205 women aged 18 to 50 years diagnosed with PCOS, aiming to explore how consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) correlates with night eating patterns and gastrointestinal-related anxiety.
Participants provided data via validated questionnaires measuring their UPF intake (sQ-HPF), night eating symptom severity (NEQ), and anxiety specific to gastrointestinal issues (VSI), along with their own anthropometric data. The study employed multiple linear regression analyses to discern independent relationships, with adjustments made for variables such as body mass index (BMI), smoking status, and socioeconomic factors.
The results highlighted a bivariate correlation where higher UPF consumption correlated with increased NEQ scores and elevated GI-specific anxiety. However, when adjusting for confounders, the direct influence of UPF consumption diminished. In these refined regression models, significant independent associations emerged, indicating that both GI-specific anxiety and BMI were associated with NEQ scores (p < 0.05). Conversely, night eating symptoms were predominantly associated with GI-specific anxiety (p < 0.001).
Further analyses, including subgroup analyses for participants with BMI <35 kg/m² and multivariate models that excluded BMI as a covariate, supported the robustness of these associations. The findings advocate for a nuanced understanding of the interplay between dietary behaviors, specifically UPF consumption, night eating symptoms, and gastrointestinal anxiety within the PCOS demographic.
These insights imply that addressing lifestyle factors, such as dietary habits and night eating patterns, is critical in managing PCOS. To enhance patient care, incorporating dietary assessments into routine evaluations may be beneficial. Future longitudinal research is essential to unravel the causal relationships among UPF exposure, night eating behaviors, and GI-related psychological distress in women with PCOS. [PCOS, night eating, gastrointestinal, anxiety, UPF]
Year: 2026
