Middle East Fertility Society Journal · Published 2026-05-28 · DOI 10.1186/s43043-026-00336-y
Aryana Mosayebzadeh, Nastaran Moradi, Shamim Pilehvari, Amin Sharifi
Abstract Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder in reproductive‑age women. We examined whether diet quality (Healthy Eating Index‑2020; HEI‑2020), physical activity, and anthropometric indices are associated with PCOS among newly diagnosed Iranian women. Materials and methods In this case‑control study in Hamadan (June 2024–March 2025), cases were women with newly diagnosed PCOS (≤ 3 months). Age‑matched (± 3 years) controls were recruited from cases’ social circles. Diet was assessed using a validated 168‑item FFQ and HEI‑2020 was computed. Physical activity level (PAL) was assessed using the short IPAQ. Anthropometric indices (BMI, WC, HC, WHR, WHtR, BRI, ABSI) and sociodemographic data were collected. All statistical analyses were conducted using STATA (StataCorp, College Station, TX, USA). Results Ninety‑four cases and 90 controls were enrolled. Controls had higher educational attainment, employment rates, PAL, and HEI‑2020 scores. PCOS participants had higher overall and central adiposity indices. In an adjusted logistic regression model including BMI, family history of PCOS, marital status, PAL, and education level, only BMI, family history, and marital status were associated with PCOS. Conclusion Anthropometric indices, PAL, and HEI‑2020 differed between groups; however, in adjusted analyses only BMI (as a surrogate for adiposity) remained independently associated with PCOS, whereas neither PAL nor HEI‑2020 showed independent associations.
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Mosayebzadeh, A., Moradi, N., Pilehvari, S., et al. (2026). Comparative analysis of diet quality, physical activity, and anthropometry in newly diagnosed PCOS women: a case‑control study. Middle East Fertility Society Journal. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43043-026-00336-y