--- title: Are eating behavior, phytoestrogen intake, and chronotype linked to PMS? description: Two types of eating behavior (restrained and external eating) and low phytoestrogen intake were linked to worse PMS. Emotional eating and chronotype were not url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/eating-behavior-phytoestrogen-intake-and-chronotype-in-relation-with-2025/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Are eating behavior, phytoestrogen intake, and chronotype linked to PMS? Survey study, 2025 # Are eating behavior, phytoestrogen intake, and chronotype linked to PMS? Two types of eating behavior (restrained and external eating) and low phytoestrogen intake were linked to worse PMS. Emotional eating and chronotype were not linked to PMS in this study. Early or limited evidence 104 female college students aged 18-22 in Indonesia ## What they did Cross-sectional study of 104 female college students aged 18-22 in Indonesia. Participants filled out questionnaires about eating behavior, phytoestrogen intake, chronotype (morning or evening preference), and PMS symptoms. ## What they found 99% reported PMS symptoms. 90.4% consumed phytoestrogens below recommended levels. Restrained eating (p=0.023, r=0.222) and external eating (p=0.002, r=0.304) were significantly linked to PMS severity. Phytoestrogen intake was significantly associated with PMS (p=0.007, r=-0.264). Emotional eating and chronotype showed no correlation with PMS. ## What it means for you Eating patterns that involve restraint or eating in response to external cues may worsen PMS, and eating more foods containing phytoestrogens may help. This is a small study in one university in Indonesia with no control group, so it cannot prove cause and effect. 99% Students who reported PMS symptoms 90.4% Consuming phytoestrogens below recommended levels 69.2% With emotional eating behavior ## About the study Original title Eating behavior, phytoestrogen intake and chronotype in relation with premenstrual syndrome among female college students Authors Hiya Alfi Rahmah, Adendita Azmi Afiattami, Izzati Nur Khoiriani et al. Journal Jurnal Gizi Indonesia (The Indonesian Journal of Nutrition) Year 2025 Study design Survey study Participants 104 What was tested None Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.14710/jgi.13.2.152-161](https://doi.org/10.14710/jgi.13.2.152-161) Original abstract Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a group of physical, behavioral, and emotional problems that occur before menstruation. Although the exact cause of this illness is unknown, various studies have suggested that it may be brought on by dietary, behavioral, or hormonal changes. Objectives: This study examined how eating behavior, phytoestrogen intake, and chronotype related to PMS in female college students at Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, Indonesia.Materials and Methods: Data were collected using a cross-sectional design with a cluster sampling method. This study was conducted with 104 participants, with the criteria: aged 18-22 years, class of 2020-2022, physically healthy, and willing to participate in the entire series of studies. The exclusion criteria in this study were taking sleeping pills, using hormonal therapy, and being diagnosed with a gynecological disorder. Statistical data analysis using the Spearman Correlation test. The Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) was used to assess eating behavior, Semiquantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (SFFQ) to assess phytoestrogen intake, Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire Self Assessment Version (MEQ-SA) to assess chronotype, and Shortened Premenstrual Assessment Form (SPAF) to assess PMS.Results: Of the 104 participants, 99% reported having experienced symptoms of PMS. 90.4% of participants reported consuming phytoestrogens at a lower level than the sufficiency level. Emotional eating dominated the eating behavior characteristics with a 69.2% prevalence, while half of the respondents (59.6%) had a morning chronotype. Eating behavior, especially restrained eating and external eating was significantly correlated with PMS severity (p<0.023; r=0.222); (p=0.002; r=0.304). Phytoestrogen intake was significantly associated with PMS (p=0.007; r=-0.264). However, emotional eating and chronotype did not correlate with PMS.Conclusion: Eating behaviors: restrained, external eating, and phytoestrogen intake were associated with PMS while emotional eating and chronotype showed no correlation with PMS severity. Reproduced under CC-BY-SA. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Appetite and food cravings](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-food-cravings/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Study, 2026 What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder? Survey study, 2025 Is emotional eating linked to PMS in university women? 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