Received April 04, 2025
Accepted February 19, 2026

Objective To study the diet and physical activity behaviour among women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and compare them with age and body mass index (BMI) matched controls. Design A cross-sectional cohort study of 90 women with PCOS from a heterogeneous population spanning a wide spectrum of socioeconomic strata in urban and rural areas. Setting Community Patient(s) Ninety women with PCOS diagnosed as per Rotterdam criteria, and age and BMI matched healthy women from the same community recruited as reference group (270). Both groups were enquired about their dietary patterns and physical activity behaviour through a validated 126-item Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and Exercise questionnaire. Dietary assessment was further done using Diet-Cal Software. Result(s) As per 24 hours dietary intake calculations, total calorie intake, carbohydrate intake, fat intake was higher and fibre consumption was lower in PCOS group. When frequency of a particular food group was assessed and compared ( by food frequency questionnaire), certain food groups were found to be higher in frequency including milk/milk products , processed food, cereals, root/tubers, pulses and nuts. Physical activity hours were found to be significantly less in PCOS group. Univariate, multivariate and explainable machine learning models were also created to understand relationship of dietary habits and physical activity in PCOS women. Conclusion(s) PCOS group differ from control in overall calorie, carbohydrate, fat and fibre intake. PCOS group also had worse physical activity behaviour as compared to control group.