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Background/Objective: Diet and lifestyle modifications may be of benefit in the management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but there is a paucity of data on these behaviours in women with PCOS. This study aims to address this through a comprehensive investigation of the habitual diet and activity patterns of UK women with PCOS and their alignment with dietary recommendations for health. Subjects/Methods: A 7-day-estimated food and activity diary and questionnaire was completed by 210 women with PCOS for calculation of activity levels, energy and nutrient intakes and dietary glycaemic index (GI). Results: Mean (s.d.) body mass index (BMI) was 27.4 (7.3)kg/[m.sup.2] (n = 183), with 53% of women with PCOS having a BMI > 25 kg/[m.sup.2]. Of the overweight women, approximately half were not achieving sufficient physical activity to promote weight loss. More frequent eating episodes and a lower BMI were weakly associated (r = -0.158, P = 0.034). Mean percentage energy from fat was 38 (7)% (12% energy from saturated fat), with 68% of women with PCOS consuming > 35% energy from fat. Mean dietary GI was higher in obese women with PCOS, compared with healthy weight women with PCOS (55.7 (3.4) and 53.8 (4.0), respectively; P = 0.043). Conclusion: Many women with PCOS are not achieving dietary intakes and levels of physical activity that optimise symptom management and disease prevention. Advice should focus on fat quality and quantity and carbohydrate modification. There is a need for further robust research into the role of dietary GI in the PCOS population. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2011) 65, 1126-1132; doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2011.81; published online 1 June 2011 Keywords: diet; polycystic ovary syndrome; feeding behaviour; motor activity, Introduction Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, affecting up to 10% of women (Franks, 1995; Lindholm et al., 2008). The presentation [...]

Background: This study investigated physical activity and dietary intake of children aged 9-11 years, and the influence of peers on these behaviours over a 2-year period. Methods: A total of 106 (64 girls; 42 boys) children were investigated annually, over 2 years. Measures included physical activity (sealed pedometer), self-report measures of dietary intake and physical activity, and a peer influence questionnaire. Anthropometric measures of height and weight were also obtained. Results: The findings reveal insufficient energy intakes, physical activity levels and fruit and vegetable consumption but high intakes of saturated fat and sodium, over time, in both boys and girls. Both male calcium and female iron intakes were also of concern. Throughout the survey, peers were found to influence physical activity behaviour but not dietary intake. Conclusions: The fact that youth consistently failed to meet established nutrition and physical activity recommendations highlights the importance of promoting physical activity and healthy eating to children younger than 9 years of age. The finding that peers significantly influence physical activity behaviour over time should be considered when designing new physical activity interventions aimed at young people. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2010) 64, 776-781; doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2010.63; published online 19 May 2010 Keywords: activity;diet;peers;youth;longitudinal, Introduction Unhealthy eating habits and low physical activity levels during childhood can have a significant influence on chronic disease occurrence in later life (World Health Organization, 2004). Yet, UK-based research [...]