Evidence-Based Lifestyle Guidelines and Self-Management Strategies Utilized by Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disorder, affecting 13% of reproductive-aged women. While lifestyle management is the first-line treatment for improving complications, women experience challenges with implementation. This cross-sectional study aims to identify the types and s...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Nutrients |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/3/589 |
| _version_ | 1797623549627727872 |
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| author | Stephanie Cowan Angela Grassi Lynn Monahan Couch Yvonne Jeanes Siew Lim Stephanie Pirotta Jeff Harris Caroline McGirr Lisa Moran |
| author_facet | Stephanie Cowan Angela Grassi Lynn Monahan Couch Yvonne Jeanes Siew Lim Stephanie Pirotta Jeff Harris Caroline McGirr Lisa Moran |
| author_sort | Stephanie Cowan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disorder, affecting 13% of reproductive-aged women. While lifestyle management is the first-line treatment for improving complications, women experience challenges with implementation. This cross-sectional study aims to identify the types and sources of dietary and physical activity (PA) interventions implemented by women with PCOS and understand how they use self-management strategies to support lifestyle change. An online questionnaire was disseminated via a consumer-based PCOS website (May 2015–2016). Women (n = 1167) were aged 18–45 years and primarily born within the United States (70%). A quarter or less of women (diet 25%, PA 14%) sought lifestyle advice from health professionals (medical clinicians or dietitians) compared to over half (diet 59%, PA 67%) using alternative sources, namely from online platforms. While only 33% and 16% of women reported following formal dietary or PA guidelines, respectively, 57% had implemented a ‘special diet’ to manage their condition, many of which were inconsistent with evidence-based practice in PCOS. Participants also displayed a low level of engagement with important self-management behaviors, including goal setting and positive self-talk. These findings suggest that online information may promote inaccurate and ineffective lifestyle advice and emphasize the need to increase engagement with qualified health professionals. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T09:30:32Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-79da1339e6b74a6383205d53eb2108c4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-6643 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T09:30:32Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nutrients |
| spelling | doaj.art-79da1339e6b74a6383205d53eb2108c42023-11-16T17:39:04ZengMDPI AGNutrients2072-66432023-01-0115358910.3390/nu15030589Evidence-Based Lifestyle Guidelines and Self-Management Strategies Utilized by Women with Polycystic Ovary SyndromeStephanie Cowan0Angela Grassi1Lynn Monahan Couch2Yvonne Jeanes3Siew Lim4Stephanie Pirotta5Jeff Harris6Caroline McGirr7Lisa Moran8Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, AustraliaNutrition Department, West Chester University of Pennsylvania, West Chester, PA 19383, USANutrition Department, West Chester University of Pennsylvania, West Chester, PA 19383, USASchool of Life and Health Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, University of Roehampton, London SW15 5PH, UKEastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Box Hill, VIC 3128, AustraliaHealth and Social Care Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, AustraliaNutrition Department, West Chester University of Pennsylvania, West Chester, PA 19383, USAMonash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, AustraliaMonash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, AustraliaPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disorder, affecting 13% of reproductive-aged women. While lifestyle management is the first-line treatment for improving complications, women experience challenges with implementation. This cross-sectional study aims to identify the types and sources of dietary and physical activity (PA) interventions implemented by women with PCOS and understand how they use self-management strategies to support lifestyle change. An online questionnaire was disseminated via a consumer-based PCOS website (May 2015–2016). Women (n = 1167) were aged 18–45 years and primarily born within the United States (70%). A quarter or less of women (diet 25%, PA 14%) sought lifestyle advice from health professionals (medical clinicians or dietitians) compared to over half (diet 59%, PA 67%) using alternative sources, namely from online platforms. While only 33% and 16% of women reported following formal dietary or PA guidelines, respectively, 57% had implemented a ‘special diet’ to manage their condition, many of which were inconsistent with evidence-based practice in PCOS. Participants also displayed a low level of engagement with important self-management behaviors, including goal setting and positive self-talk. These findings suggest that online information may promote inaccurate and ineffective lifestyle advice and emphasize the need to increase engagement with qualified health professionals.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/3/589polycystic ovary syndromephysical activitydietself-managementbehavior change |
| spellingShingle | Stephanie Cowan Angela Grassi Lynn Monahan Couch Yvonne Jeanes Siew Lim Stephanie Pirotta Jeff Harris Caroline McGirr Lisa Moran Evidence-Based Lifestyle Guidelines and Self-Management Strategies Utilized by Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Nutrients polycystic ovary syndrome physical activity diet self-management behavior change |
| title | Evidence-Based Lifestyle Guidelines and Self-Management Strategies Utilized by Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome |
| title_full | Evidence-Based Lifestyle Guidelines and Self-Management Strategies Utilized by Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome |
| title_fullStr | Evidence-Based Lifestyle Guidelines and Self-Management Strategies Utilized by Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evidence-Based Lifestyle Guidelines and Self-Management Strategies Utilized by Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome |
| title_short | Evidence-Based Lifestyle Guidelines and Self-Management Strategies Utilized by Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome |
| title_sort | evidence based lifestyle guidelines and self management strategies utilized by women with polycystic ovary syndrome |
| topic | polycystic ovary syndrome physical activity diet self-management behavior change |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/3/589 |
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