UniStArt: A 12-Month Prospective Observational Study of Body Weight, Dietary Intake, and Physical Activity Levels in Australian First-Year University Students.

Background: Students in the United States gain weight significantly during their first year of university, however limited data are available for Australian students. Methods: This 12-month observational study was conducted to monitor monthly body weight and composition, as well as quarterly eating behaviours, dietary intake, physical activity, sedentary behaviours, and basal metabolic rate changes amongst first-year Australian university students. Participants were first-year university students over 18 years. Results: Twenty-two first-year university students (5 males and 17 females) completed the study. Female students gained weight significantly at two, three, and four-months (+0.9 kg; +1.5 kg; +1.1 kg, p < 0.05). Female waist circumference (2.5 cm increase at three-months, p = 0.012), and body fat also increased (+0.9%, p = 0.026 at three-months). Intakes of sugar, saturated fat (both >10% of total energy), and sodium exceeded recommended levels (>2000 mg) at 12-months. Greater sedentary behaviours were observed amongst male students throughout the study (p <0.05). Conclusions: Female students are at risk of unfavourable changes in body composition during the first year of university, while males are at risk of increased sedentary behaviours. High intakes of saturated fat, sugars, and sodium warrant future interventions in such a vulnerable group.

Quality of life in adolescent girls with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Quality of life (QoL) is an important aspect of health and well-being. QoL is reduced in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but there is limited data in adolescents. This review aimed to assess studies regarding the QoL of adolescent girls with PCOS. Five databases were searched for relevant studies. Studies were included if they were conducted in adolescent girls with PCOS, aged 12-22 years old, and used a questionnaire to measure QoL. The search identified a total of 254 studies, and after exclusions, 11 relevant studies were included in the review. Most studies had a relatively small sample size, but overall included a total of 512 adolescents with PCOS. In most cases, adolescent girls with PCOS have reduced QoL when compared to healthy girls, and PCOS symptoms/excess weight impact on their QoL. Further research is required due to limited data on QoL in adolescents with PCOS of normal weight.