The accuracy of 6 resting metabolic rate (RMR) prediction equations to indirect calorimetry was compared in 38 Hispanic women (age = 30 ± 7 years; body mass index = 28.9 ± 7.2 kg/m²; body fat = 42% ± 8%). Paired t tests examined differences between predicted and measured RMR; significance defined as P < 0.05. Bias and agreement were displayed using Bland-Altman plots. Accuracy was defined when the predicted RMR was ±10% of the measured RMR. Data were analyzed with SPSS (version 19). Only the equation of Owen et al was not significantly different from the measured RMR (1336 ± 142 and 1322 ± 203 kcal/d, respectively). The equation of Owen et al was accurate for 84.2% of women; RMR prediction equations had limited applicability for young Hispanic women.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder experienced by women. PCOS is a lifelong condition associated with reproductive, metabolic, and psychological presentations. PCOS is also linked with increased prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors. While an association between body weight and PCOS has been noted, cardiometabolic risk factors are prevalent in individuals with PCOS across body weights. Currently, no consensus exists as to the most appropriate lifestyle strategy for mitigating cardiometabolic risk in PCOS. A large proportion of the literature is focused on weight loss for individuals with PCOS who are overweight or experience obesity, despite PCOS being prevalent across body sizes. The aim of this narrative review is to assess dietary and lifestyle interventions aimed at reducing cardiometabolic risk in individuals with PCOS across body sizes. A total of 51 articles are included in this review. Overall, randomized controlled trials are limited and most studies focus on weight loss, excluding individuals classified within a healthy body weight range. Studies that modified the dietary pattern without an energy deficit saw improvements in cardiometabolic risk. Thus, less restrictive dietary approaches may be effective at reducing cardiometabolic risk in this population. This review also highlights the need for more sustainable lifestyle interventions that meet the needs of individuals with PCOS of varying body weights.

Women, particularly those in college, have the highest prevalence of any mental illness (MI), which negatively impacts social connection, academic performance, and health. Research into alternative treatment methods suggests that lifestyle behaviors are safer and more effective than medication at reducing MI symptoms. This study explores the relationship between lifestyle behaviors and MI in college women through an online survey. The survey included a food frequency questionnaire (Diet History Questionnaire II) and questions about lifestyle behaviors, symptoms of MI, and sociodemographic information. Diet quality was calculated using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), and MI was assessed using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21. Independent sample t-tests, ANOVA, and chi-square analyses were conducted. A total of 222 women completed the survey. Overall, diet quality was poor, with a mean HEI of 62.6 ± 10.4. No significant differences or associations were found between MI groups for total HEI score, sleep, or tobacco use. However, alcohol use was significantly associated with MI (p = 0.049). Individuals with fewer concurrent unhealthy lifestyle behaviors had less severe symptoms of depression (p = 0.009) and anxiety (p < 0.001) compared to those with more unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. In this study, alcohol use was the only independent lifestyle behavior associated with symptoms of MI. We also found an association between the number of concurrent unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and depression and anxiety symptoms. Future research should explore the benefits of a healthy lifestyle on MI in a more diverse sample of women.

School nutrition programs (SNP) provide much needed access to fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods at low or no cost. Yet, the infrastructure of school kitchens and cafeteria vary across schools, potentially contributing to systematic barriers for SNP operation and equity. The purpose of this paper is to examine the association between school infrastructure and outcomes including meal participation, untraditional lunch periods, and having an open campus. Regression analyses were conducted using administrative data for 1804 schools and school nutrition manager survey data (n = 821) in New York City (NYC). Co-location was significantly associated with open campus status (OR = 2.84, CI: 1.11, 7.26) and high school breakfast participation (β = −0.056, p = 0.003). Overcrowding was associated with breakfast (elementary: β = −0.046, p = 0.03; middle: β = 0.051, p = 0.04; high: β = 0.042, p = 0.04) and lunch participation (elementary: β = −0.031, p = 0.01) and untraditional lunchtimes (elementary: OR = 2.47, CI: 1.05, 5.83). Higher enrollment to cafeteria capacity ratios was associated with breakfast (elementary: β = −0.025, p = 0.02) and lunch (elementary: β = −0.015, p = 0.001; high: β = 0.014, p = 0.02) participation and untraditional lunchtimes (middle: OR = 1.66, CI: 1.03, 2.68). Infrastructure characteristics are an important source of variation across NYC schools that may hinder the equity of school nutrition programs across the city.