Informing Translation: The Accuracy of Information on Websites for Lifestyle Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Abstract
Lifestyle (diet, physical activity [PA], and/or behavioral) interventions are recommended for all women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in international guidelines. The internet is a widely used health information resource. However, the accuracy of lifestyle information on PCOS websites is unknown and is reviewed here to inform translation of the international guideline on PCOS. An internet search was conducted with three search engines across different web browsers and countries. Accuracy was assessed through a checklist of 29 questions based on international guidelines for diet, PA, or weight management for the general population and for PCOS with higher scores indicating greater accuracy. Fifteen websites were eligible out of 72 (20%). The total accuracy score was 56 ± 13 (mean ± standard deviation; potential range: -29 to 87) comprising 23 ± 6 for diet (-11 to 33), 15 ± 5 for PA (-9 to 27), and 14 ± 3 for weight management (-8 to 24). A moderate proportion of websites provided general information on appropriate diet (40-80%) or weight management strategies (47-60%), but only 10 to 40% of websites provided information on core foods, discretionary foods, exercise quantity/intensity, energy deficits, or behavioral strategies. Limited websites on PCOS contain information on lifestyle management. The majority provided information on general diet, PA, and weight recommendations but less information on practical implementation of lifestyle change as an identified translation gap for the international guideline on PCOS.
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The majority (n = 5) of website studies involved analysis of content from search engine results.
“The majority (n = 5) involved analysis of content from search engine results [46,47,91,94,95], while one each looked at content in teen and women’s digital magazines [93], French language internet forums [90], and a specific PCOS-related website [92].”
From Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and the Internet of Things: A Scoping Review (2024) · cites this paper as [47]
More recent studies highlighted a high number of websites with a commercial background.
“More recent studies highlighted the high number of websites in their findings with a commercial background [46,47,91], also pointing out a possible advantage in the quality of results when using Google, compared to other search engines [91].”
From Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and the Internet of Things: A Scoping Review (2024) · cites this paper as [47]
A 2018 study found overall accuracy of information on PCOS websites was suboptimal.
“A 2018 study highlighted the paucity of lifestyle information on PCOS websites and how the overall accuracy of the information on websites was suboptimal [47].”
From Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and the Internet of Things: A Scoping Review (2024) · cites this paper as [47]
Eight included studies in the scoping review related to PCOS content on websites.
“Eight included studies related to PCOS content on websites [46,47,90,91,92,93,94,95] (Supplementary File S3).”
From Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and the Internet of Things: A Scoping Review (2024) · cites this paper as [47]
A 2018 study highlighted the paucity of lifestyle information on PCOS websites.
“A 2018 study highlighted the paucity of lifestyle information on PCOS websites and how the overall accuracy of the information on websites was suboptimal [47].”
From Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and the Internet of Things: A Scoping Review (2024) · cites this paper as [47]
The eight website studies originated from France, USA, Australia, Croatia, Greece, and the UK, with specified publication years.
“Regarding publication date and country of origin, two studies published in 2020 were from France [90] and USA [92], two in 2018 from Australia [46,47], one in 2016 from the USA [93], one in 2023 from Croatia [91], one in 2012 from Greece [94], and another in 2010 from the UK [95].”
From Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and the Internet of Things: A Scoping Review (2024) · cites this paper as [47]
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- Authors
- Htet, T., Cassar, S., Kuczynska-Burggraf, M., Gibson-Helm, M., Chiu, W.-L., Stepto, N., Moran, L., & Boyle, J.
- Affiliations
- Monash University (AU)
- Victoria University (AU)
- Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Corresponding author
- Boyle, Jacqueline
- Venue
- Seminars in Reproductive Medicine
- Publisher
- Georg Thieme Verlag KG
- Published
- 2018-01
- Volume
- 36
- Issue
- 01
- Pages
- 080-085
- ISSN
- 1526-4564 (ISSN-L)
- 1526-8004
- OpenAlex
- W2890200776
- Cited by
- 16
- References
- 33
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 1
- FWCI
- 1.92
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Seminars in Reproductive Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Victoria University Research Repository (Victoria University) (submittedVersion)
- Adelaide Research & Scholarship (AR&S) (University of Adelaide) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Literacy and Information Accessibility
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Ovarian function and disorders
- Social Sciences › Health › Social Media in Health Education
- Keywords
- polycystic ovary syndrome, lifestyle management, health information websites, diet, physical activity, weight management, behavioral interventions, guideline translation, online health information
- MeSH terms
- Body Weight, Diet, Female, Humans, Life Style, Patient Education as Topic, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Exercise, Disease Management, Internet
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