Relationships between self-management strategies and physical activity and diet quality in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine the relationships of self-management strategies and physical activity (PA) and diet quality in women with PCOS. MethodsAn online cross-sectional study involving women (n = 501), 18–45 years in the general Australian community with a self-reported PCOS diagnosis. The self-management and lifestyle behaviour questionnaires were completed between August 2017 and March 2018. ResultsImplementation of PA related self-management strategies increased the odds of meeting PA recommendations [Odds ratio (OR): 2.929 (95%CI: 2.172, 3.951), p < 0.001] but had no association with body mass index (BMI) [OR: 0.–0.984 (95%CI: −1.010, 0.959), p = 0.217] nor perception of self weight [OR: 1.382 (95% CI: 0.700, 2.725), p = 0.352]. Nutrition related self-management strategies were inversely associated with BMI [OR: − 0.115 (95%CI: −7.159, −0.980), p = 0.010] but had no association with diet quality [OR: 0.183 (95%CI: −2.328, 2.800), p = 0.855], energy intake [OR: − 0.092 (95%CI: −1204.443, 527.496) p = 0.438] or weight [OR: − 0.034 (95%CI: −4.020, 1.930), p = 0.491]. ConclusionsPA self-management strategies were associated with meeting PA recommendations. Nutrition strategies were associated with lower BMI but not diet quality, energy intake or weight in women with PCOS. Practice implicationsOther behaviour change determinants (e.g. education, skills and self-efficacy) should be considered when designing a PCOS lifestyle programme in conjunction with self-management strategies.