Self-Esteem Differentiates the Dietary Behaviours and Adipose Tissue Distribution in Women with Menstrual Bleeding Disorders – Pilot Study
Magdalena Czlapka-Matyasik, Aleksandra Bykowska-Derda, Bogusław Stelcer, Aleksandra Nowicka, Aleksandra Piasecka, Małgorzata Kałużna, Marek Ruchała, Katarzyna Ziemnicka
Abstract
Menstrual bleeding disorders (MBDs) are multifaceted issues affecting women’s health. Understanding their causes and impacts is vital for management and treatment. MBDs can affect women’s self-esteem (SE), creating a cycle of physical and emotional challenges. Women may resort to unhealthy behaviours; therefore, we raised the question of whether MBD women’s self-esteem differs in dietary behaviours, consequently leading to obesity. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between SE, dietary behaviours and body fat (BF) distribution in 63 19–35 y MBD women. It was conducted on two BMI and age-matched groups that differ by android fat content. Rosenberg’s SE questionnaire and Food Frequency Questionnaire were used. BF distribution was measured by dual-energy-X-ray-absorptiometry (DXA), and the android-to-gynoid fat ratio was calculated. We revealed the following determinants of higher android-to-gynoid fat distribution: medium or high self-esteem (OR: 3.4, 95%CI: 1.0; 10.8), daily milk products frequency intake (OR: 3.3, 95%CI: 1.1; 10.3). The level of self-esteem could affect dietary behaviours. Women with higher android fat distribution tend to consume dairy products more frequently but with less meat. Women with lower android fat distribution had lower SE. The issues raised in this project affect a complex area that requires further research in a larger group of participants.
Keywords: android/gynoid fat ratio; body composition; body fat distribution; dairy intake; female reproductive health; food frequency intake; self-image
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(7), 3701; doi.org/10.3390/app15073701
