Association Between Healthy Eating Patterns and Prevalence of Suspected Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Cross Sectional Study

The diet–PCOS relationship remains complex and requires further investigation. Among 1424 participants (12.3% suspected PCOS), dietary patterns were evaluated using NIH criteria via FFQ: exploratory factor analysis (EFA), EAT‐Lancet dietary pattern (EAT‐LDP), Mediterranean, plant‐based indices. EFA identified four patterns: plant‐forward (PFD), animal–protein (APD), red and organ meat (ROM), and fast‐food (FFD). Multivariable logistic regression, adjusted for age, BMI, education attainment, marriage situation, physical activity status, frequency of ordering takeout, depression, anxiety and stress, showed: compared to the lowest adherence group, the highest APD quartile was associated with a higher prevalence of suspected PCOS (OR = 2.20, 95% CI: 1.42–3.41, P < 0.001 ); the highest EAT‐LDP quartile was correlated with a lower prevalence of suspected PCOS (OR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.16–0.83, P < 0.05 ). Mediterranean scores ≥5 are positively associated with suspected PCOS (score 5: OR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.09–2.44; score >5: OR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.23–2.89, both P < 0.05 ), while scores ≤4 are negatively associated with suspected PCOS (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.33–0.95, P < 0.05 ). Plant‐based indices showed no significant associations with suspected PCOS. Higher adherence to the EAT‐LDP, lower adherence to the APD, and moderate adherence to the Mediterranean diet are associated with a reduced prevalence of suspected PCOS. Large‐scale cohort studies are needed to confirm these findings and establish causality.