Skip to content

Survey study, 2018

Does what or how adolescents eat matter for PMS?

How adolescents eat matters more than what they eat. Those with PMS are more likely to have disordered eating behaviors like emotional eating, but their actual diet is the same as those without PMS.

Moderate study design 383 adolescents aged 13-19 years (214 with PMS, 169 without)

What they did

Cross-sectional study comparing 214 adolescents aged 13-19 with PMS to 169 without. Researchers measured actual dietary intake using food frequency questionnaires and 24-hour recall, and eating attitudes using two standardized tests.

What they found

PMS prevalence was 55.9%. Disordered eating attitudes were found in 23.8% of the PMS group but only 11.8% of those without PMS. Emotional and uncontrolled eating were significantly higher in the PMS group. However, actual dietary intake, body measurements, and bone density were the same in both groups.

What it means for you

The way adolescents relate to food may matter more than the food itself for PMS. Both disordered eating and PMS may trigger each other. Limited to adolescents in one location, so results may not apply to other groups.

55.9%

PMS prevalence in the sample

23.8%

Disordered eating in PMS group

11.8%

Disordered eating in control group

About the study

Original title
Adolescents with premenstrual syndrome: not only what you eat but also how you eat matters!
Authors
Isgin-Atici K, Buyuktuncer Z, Akgül S et al.
Journal
Journal of pediatric endocrinology & metabolism : JPEM
Year
2018
Study design
Survey study
Participants
383
What was tested
None (observational study)

Topics