Funding outcome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition that affects the hormones of many females, leading to various health challenges such as weight gain, diabetes, and fertility issues. Eating disorders (EDs) like binge eating and bulimia are serious mental health conditions that may also be linked to PCOS, but there isn't enough research to fully understand this connection, especially in Canada. Our study seeks to find out how common eating disorders are among females with and without PCOS in Alberta. We created a survey that included questions about eating behaviours. With the help of PCOS patients and healthcare professionals, we tested the survey to make sure it was relevant and easy to understand. We've been recruiting participants through online platforms and community outreach at the University of Alberta and local hospitals. So far, we've enrolled 315 participants, with about one-third having PCOS and the rest serving as a comparison group. As our study progresses, we aim to uncover whether certain eating disorders are more common in those with PCOS. We suspect that bulimia and binge eating might be more prevalent in this group. While we haven't completed data analysis yet, our findings may eventually help doctors better understand and treat eating disorders in women with PCOS, leading to improved care and outcomes for this community.