Dietary intakes in infertile women a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
The reproductive axis is closely linked to nutritional status. The purpose of this study was to compare the nutritional status in two groups of young infertile women, without clinically overt eating disorders: hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).


METHODS
Eighteen young infertile women (10 HA, 8 PCOS) attending an outpatient gynecological endocrinology unit, underwent evaluation of anthropometry, body composition, dietary intakes by means of a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and a seven-day food diary (7DD), and psychological characteristics by means of EDI2 and SCL90 tests.


RESULTS
HA women had lower BMI and body fat compared to PCOS women. Habitual intake derived from FFQs showed a similar macronutrient distribution between groups (about 16% protein, 33% fat, 52% carbohydrates). The psychometric profiles of the two groups did not differ significantly. The underreporting of dietary intakes (measured as habitual energy intake by FFQs/basal metabolic rate) was found to be negatively correlated with the interpersonal sensitivity SCL-90 subscale scores (r = -0.54, p = 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Our study identified differences in body composition but not in dietary habits between HA and PCOS infertile women. We documented, for the first time, a relationship between the accuracy of dietary surveys and the psychological characteristics of subjects with anovulation. This finding suggests that it may be important to be aware of the psychological terrain when planning a dietary survey in infertile women.
Colombo
Ottavia
O
Department of Applied Health Sciences, University of Pavia, Italy. ottavia.colombo@unipv.it
Pinelli
Giovanna
G
Comelli
Mario
M
Marchetti
Pierpaolo
P
Sieri
Sabina
S
Brighenti
Furio
F
Nappi
Rossella E
RE
Tagliabue
Anna
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000523:psychology; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004032:Diet; D015930:Diet Records; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D038321:Glycemic Index; D006801:Humans; D007027:Hypothalamic Diseases; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000523:psychology; D016555:Matched-Pair Analysis; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000523:psychology; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult