Premenstrual syndrome, excessive food cravings and nutrient intake of adult women

This study was planned to investigate excessive food cravings and nutrient intake of women with premenstrual syndrome. February-March 2024 The study was conducted on 56 volunteers between the ages of 18 and 40 who applied to a private clinic in Ankara. The women participating in the study were divided into two groups with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) (study group, n:28) and without premenstrual syndrome (control group, n:28) using the premenstrual syndrome scale. A questionnaire including sociodemographic characteristics, eating habits, menstrual histories, excessive food cravings, anthropometric measurements in luteal phase, menstruation and follicular phases and a 24-hour retrospective food consumption record were administered to the participants. The mean age of the study and control group was determined to be 24.7±4.49 and 28.7±7.78 years respectively (p>0.05). The mean BMI of the women in the study group according to the menstrual phases was found to be 22.2±3.86, 22.1±3.81 and 22.1±3.94, respectively, and the women in the control group were found to be 22.8±3.90, 22.9±3.86 and 22.7±3.89 kg/m2. During the luteal period, when women have PMS, menstruation is 2. there was no statistically significant difference between BMI measurements on the day and in the follicular phase (p>0.05). According to the luteal period of the women in the study group, menstruation is 2. changes in BMI measurements on the day and during the follicular phase were found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). BMI measurements during the luteal period were found to be higher compared to measurements during the follicular phase (p<0.05). According to the luteal period of the control group, menstruation was 2. changes in BMI measurements on the day and during the follicular phase were not statistically significant (p>0.05). The mean PMS scores of the study and control groups were 153.1±38.31 and 93.5±166.25, respectively. (p>0.05). The excessive food cravings (ABIS) score was 143.6±47.38 and 166.3±41.59 for women in the study group and control group, respectively (p<0.05). The energy received by the women in the study group at lunch and afternoon meals was found to be statistically significant compared to those in the control group (p<0.05). The average energy intake of women in the study group compared to menstruation phases, respectively; 1528.6±441.02, 1290.6±372.85 and 1418.8±388.13; women in the control group 1479.6±493.33, 1452.5±500.74 and 1494.3±kcal 500.79 were found(p>0.05). While the luteal phase dietary cholesterol intake of the study group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p<0.05), menstruation 2. there was no statistically significant difference between the Dec values and follicular phase values (p>0.05). There was a statistically significant negative relationship between women's PMS scores and excessive food cravings scores at a Decently weak level (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between dietary fiber, vitamin E, thiamine, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, potassium and iron intakes according to menstrual phases and intra-group comparisons of women in the study and control group (p>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between dietary fiber, vitamin E, thiamine, vitamin B12, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, potassium and iron intakes (p>0.05). Although significant differences could not be detected in the study, it is assumed that menstrual cycle stages and PMS status may affect nutrient intake and, accordingly, weight control. It is thought that women should be aware of this issue in order to manage the process and nutrition should be planned taking into account the menstrual cycle.