Susan Arentz1, Caroline A Smith2, Jason Abbott3, Alan Bensoussan2. 1. NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia. s.arentz@westernsydney.edu.au. 2. NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia. 3. School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Barker Street, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The international clinical practice guidelines for PCOS emphasize diet and exercise as first-line management of clinical signs and symptoms. This study aimed to describe the patterns, perceptions and experiences of lifestyle interventions for women in the community with PCOS. METHOD: An electronic survey of 493 members of two PCOS consumer support groups, collected by cloud-based Survey Monkey, described women's types and patterns of diet and exercise, experiences and perceptions of effectiveness. Women were recruited from the Polycystic Ovary Association of Australia (POSAA) and from the Facebook group, PCOS University Research Group. Associations between participants perceptions of effectiveness, and diet types and exercise patterns were assessed using logistic regression. Response bias for the POSAA group was assessed with a continuum of resistance model. RESULTS: 91% of POSAA members and 311 Facebook group members aged 16-50 years responded to the survey. Nearly all women reported adjusting their dietary and exercise practices with the aim to improve their health and/or PCOS (82% and 73% respectively), however less than 13% reported achievement of health goals (12.2% and 8.1% respectively). Low carbohydrate, high protein diets, and vigorous activity were associated with self-perceived effectiveness (r.0.16, p < 0.01; r.0.15 p < 0.01 and r.0.2 p < 0.01 respectively). Barriers for lifestyle interventions included psychosocial factors. Response bias was not assessed for the Facebook group, however self-reported PCOS aligned with prevalence of clinical phenotypes and suggests results are generalizable to clinical populations of women with PCOS, who are responsible for self-directing and administering lifestyle interventions to manage their PCOS. CONCLUSIONS: Perceptions of effectiveness for lifestyle interventions by women with PCOS may be complicated by a lack of rigorous evidence. The strength of recommendations in clinical practice guidelines may be enhanced by clinical trials investigating flexible and feasible lifestyle interventions for women in the community with PCOS.
BACKGROUND: The international clinical practice guidelines for PCOS emphasize diet and exercise as first-line management of clinical signs and symptoms. This study aimed to describe the patterns, perceptions and experiences of lifestyle interventions for women in the community with PCOS. METHOD: An electronic survey of 493 members of two PCOS consumer support groups, collected by cloud-based Survey Monkey, described women's types and patterns of diet and exercise, experiences and perceptions of effectiveness. Women were recruited from the Polycystic Ovary Association of Australia (POSAA) and from the Facebook group, PCOS University Research Group. Associations between participants perceptions of effectiveness, and diet types and exercise patterns were assessed using logistic regression. Response bias for the POSAA group was assessed with a continuum of resistance model. RESULTS: 91% of POSAA members and 311 Facebook group members aged 16-50 years responded to the survey. Nearly all women reported adjusting their dietary and exercise practices with the aim to improve their health and/or PCOS (82% and 73% respectively), however less than 13% reported achievement of health goals (12.2% and 8.1% respectively). Low carbohydrate, high protein diets, and vigorous activity were associated with self-perceived effectiveness (r.0.16, p < 0.01; r.0.15 p < 0.01 and r.0.2 p < 0.01 respectively). Barriers for lifestyle interventions included psychosocial factors. Response bias was not assessed for the Facebook group, however self-reported PCOS aligned with prevalence of clinical phenotypes and suggests results are generalizable to clinical populations of women with PCOS, who are responsible for self-directing and administering lifestyle interventions to manage their PCOS. CONCLUSIONS: Perceptions of effectiveness for lifestyle interventions by women with PCOS may be complicated by a lack of rigorous evidence. The strength of recommendations in clinical practice guidelines may be enhanced by clinical trials investigating flexible and feasible lifestyle interventions for women in the community with PCOS.
Entities:
Keywords:
Exercise; Healthy lifestyle; Polycystic ovary syndrome; Women’s health
Authors: S L Booth; J F Sallis; C Ritenbaugh; J O Hill; L L Birch; L D Frank; K Glanz; D A Himmelgreen; M Mudd; B M Popkin; K A Rickard; S St Jeor; N P Hays Journal: Nutr Rev Date: 2001-03 Impact factor: 7.110
Authors: Julie D Lamb; Erica B Johnstone; Julie-Anne Rousseau; Christopher L Jones; Lauri A Pasch; Marcelle I Cedars; Heather G Huddleston Journal: Am J Obstet Gynecol Date: 2011-02-02 Impact factor: 8.661
Authors: Helena J Teede; Marie L Misso; Jacqueline A Boyle; Rhonda M Garad; Veryan McAllister; Linda Downes; Melanie Gibson; Roger J Hart; Luk Rombauts; Lisa Moran; Anuja Dokras; Joop Laven; Terhi Piltonen; Raymond J Rodgers; Mala Thondan; Michael F Costello; Robert J Norman Journal: Med J Aust Date: 2018-10-01 Impact factor: 7.738
Authors: Merrick Zwarenstein; Shaun Treweek; Joel J Gagnier; Douglas G Altman; Sean Tunis; Brian Haynes; Andrew D Oxman; David Moher Journal: BMJ Date: 2008-11-11
Authors: Eslavath Rajkumar; A Ardra; G Prabhu; Vijyendra Pandey; Jeyavel Sundaramoorthy; Rameez Manzoor; K V Sooraj; M Manikandaprabu; Tukaram Badiger Journal: Heliyon Date: 2022-06-30