Unhealthy diet and lifestyle factors linked to female androgenetic alopecia: a community-based study from Jidong study, China

Abstract

Background: To explore unhealthy diet and lifestyle factors associated with female androgenetic alopecia (FAGA) in a community-based study. Methods: A total of 3,008 participants were recruited from the Jidong community (Tangshan, Hebei, China). FAGA was assessed by the Savin scale. Data collection was conducted through structured questionnaires. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to identify potential factors. Multivariable models were built by selecting covariates with P < 0.05 in univariable analyses and removing collinear variables identified by a variance inflation factor > 5. The predictive performance was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curve. Results: The prevalence of FAGA in this study was 6.85% (206/3008). Sleep snoring (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.398, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.032–1.894, P = 0.031), frequent consumption of bacon and preserved meat (AOR = 2.205, 95% CI 1.181–4.118, P = 0.013), frequently drinking unboiled water (AOR = 1.984, 95% CI 1.156–3.406, P = 0.013), age (AOR = 1.063, 95% CI 1.050–1.076, P < 0.001) and suboptimal health status score (AOR = 1.033, 95% CI 1.020–1.047, P < 0.001) were identified as independent factors associated with FAGA. Conclusions: In conclusion, our data suggest that females who snore during sleep, frequently consume bacon and preserved meats, and regularly drink unboiled water are more susceptible to androgenetic alopecia. Additionally, our analysis revealed that age and suboptimal health status score are significantly correlated with FAGA.