Association of eating behavior with symptoms of pelvic floor disorders in middle-aged women: An observational study

Background: Estrogen deficiency during menopause, aging, reproductive history, and factors increasing intra-abdominal pressure may lead to structural and functional failure in the pelvic floor. Lifestyle choices, such as eating behavior, may contribute to pelvic floor disorders. Objectives: The obje...

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Main Authors: Mari A Kuutti, Matti Hyvärinen, Hannamari Lankila, Pauliina Aukee, Enni-Maria Hietavala, Eija K Laakkonen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2024-12-01
Series:Women's Health
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057241305075
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author Mari A Kuutti
Matti Hyvärinen
Hannamari Lankila
Pauliina Aukee
Enni-Maria Hietavala
Eija K Laakkonen
author_facet Mari A Kuutti
Matti Hyvärinen
Hannamari Lankila
Pauliina Aukee
Enni-Maria Hietavala
Eija K Laakkonen
author_sort Mari A Kuutti
collection DOAJ
description Background: Estrogen deficiency during menopause, aging, reproductive history, and factors increasing intra-abdominal pressure may lead to structural and functional failure in the pelvic floor. Lifestyle choices, such as eating behavior, may contribute to pelvic floor disorders. Objectives: The objective of the study was to investigate associations of eating behavior with symptoms of pelvic floor disorders, that is, stress urinary incontinence, urgency urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and constipation or defecation difficulties among middle-aged women. Design: A cross-sectional, observational study was performed using a population sample of 1098 Finnish women aged 47–55 years. Methods: Eating behavior, food consumption frequency, demographical, gynecological, and physical activity variables were assessed using self-report questionnaires. Logistic regression models were used to assess the associations of eating behavior, food frequency, and symptoms of pelvic floor disorders. Models were adjusted with demographical, gynecological, and physical activity variables. Results: In adjusted models, middle-aged women with disordered eating style were more likely to experience the symptoms of stress urinary incontinence (odds ratio (OR) 1.5, p  = 0.002), and constipation or defecation difficulties (OR 1.4, p  = 0.041). Adding body mass index into the models abolished associations. Of the studied food items, more frequent consumption of ready-made, highly processed foods (OR 1.5, p  = 0.001), and fast foods (OR 1.5, p  = 0.005) were independently associated with symptoms of stress urinary incontinence regardless of eating style, whereas consuming ready-made foods (OR 1.4, p  = 0.048) was associated with symptoms of urgency urinary incontinence. Daily consumption of fruits (OR 0.8, p  = 0.034) was independently associated with symptoms of stress urinary incontinence. Furthermore, we observed that daily consumption of porridge was associated with symptoms of constipation or defecation difficulties (OR 1.7, p  = 0.010) independently of eating style. Alcohol consumption (OR 0.9, p  = 0.015) was inversely associated with constipation and defecation difficulties. Women with overall higher quality diet had lower odds for stress urinary incontinence (OR 0.9, p  = 0.002). Conclusion: This study provides proof-of-concept evidence to the hypothesis that eating behavior and consuming certain food items are associated with perceived pelvic floor disorders. As a preventive action, eating behavior of women with the risk of these symptoms should be assessed, and guidance toward healthy eating patterns should be provided.
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spelling doaj-art-3973c7d9b4b344e4969f90cca5e6d9af2024-12-11T07:03:38ZengSAGE PublishingWomen's Health1745-50652024-12-012010.1177/17455057241305075Association of eating behavior with symptoms of pelvic floor disorders in middle-aged women: An observational studyMari A Kuutti0Matti Hyvärinen1Hannamari Lankila2Pauliina Aukee3Enni-Maria Hietavala4Eija K Laakkonen5Gerontology Research Center and Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, FinlandGerontology Research Center and Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, FinlandGerontology Research Center and Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, FinlandDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wellbeing Services County of Central Finland, Jyväskylä, FinlandGerontology Research Center and Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, FinlandGerontology Research Center and Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, FinlandBackground: Estrogen deficiency during menopause, aging, reproductive history, and factors increasing intra-abdominal pressure may lead to structural and functional failure in the pelvic floor. Lifestyle choices, such as eating behavior, may contribute to pelvic floor disorders. Objectives: The objective of the study was to investigate associations of eating behavior with symptoms of pelvic floor disorders, that is, stress urinary incontinence, urgency urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and constipation or defecation difficulties among middle-aged women. Design: A cross-sectional, observational study was performed using a population sample of 1098 Finnish women aged 47–55 years. Methods: Eating behavior, food consumption frequency, demographical, gynecological, and physical activity variables were assessed using self-report questionnaires. Logistic regression models were used to assess the associations of eating behavior, food frequency, and symptoms of pelvic floor disorders. Models were adjusted with demographical, gynecological, and physical activity variables. Results: In adjusted models, middle-aged women with disordered eating style were more likely to experience the symptoms of stress urinary incontinence (odds ratio (OR) 1.5, p  = 0.002), and constipation or defecation difficulties (OR 1.4, p  = 0.041). Adding body mass index into the models abolished associations. Of the studied food items, more frequent consumption of ready-made, highly processed foods (OR 1.5, p  = 0.001), and fast foods (OR 1.5, p  = 0.005) were independently associated with symptoms of stress urinary incontinence regardless of eating style, whereas consuming ready-made foods (OR 1.4, p  = 0.048) was associated with symptoms of urgency urinary incontinence. Daily consumption of fruits (OR 0.8, p  = 0.034) was independently associated with symptoms of stress urinary incontinence. Furthermore, we observed that daily consumption of porridge was associated with symptoms of constipation or defecation difficulties (OR 1.7, p  = 0.010) independently of eating style. Alcohol consumption (OR 0.9, p  = 0.015) was inversely associated with constipation and defecation difficulties. Women with overall higher quality diet had lower odds for stress urinary incontinence (OR 0.9, p  = 0.002). Conclusion: This study provides proof-of-concept evidence to the hypothesis that eating behavior and consuming certain food items are associated with perceived pelvic floor disorders. As a preventive action, eating behavior of women with the risk of these symptoms should be assessed, and guidance toward healthy eating patterns should be provided.https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057241305075
spellingShingle Mari A Kuutti
Matti Hyvärinen
Hannamari Lankila
Pauliina Aukee
Enni-Maria Hietavala
Eija K Laakkonen
Association of eating behavior with symptoms of pelvic floor disorders in middle-aged women: An observational study
Women's Health
title Association of eating behavior with symptoms of pelvic floor disorders in middle-aged women: An observational study
title_full Association of eating behavior with symptoms of pelvic floor disorders in middle-aged women: An observational study
title_fullStr Association of eating behavior with symptoms of pelvic floor disorders in middle-aged women: An observational study
title_full_unstemmed Association of eating behavior with symptoms of pelvic floor disorders in middle-aged women: An observational study
title_short Association of eating behavior with symptoms of pelvic floor disorders in middle-aged women: An observational study
title_sort association of eating behavior with symptoms of pelvic floor disorders in middle aged women an observational study
url https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057241305075
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