Survey study, 1969
Does body weight affect PMS symptoms?
There was no clear difference in PMS symptom frequency between women of different body weights. However, physical symptoms were slightly more common in women who were obese.
What they did
Researchers studied 150 women aged 15 to 40 with PMS. They categorized women by body mass index (low, normal, overweight, or obese) and tracked their psychological, social, and physical symptoms over two consecutive menstrual cycles.
What they found
Physical symptoms were reported by 59% of women, followed by psychological symptoms in 45% and social symptoms in 42%. There was no clear difference in symptom frequency between weight categories overall. Physical symptoms were slightly more frequently seen in women who were obese, and women with low to normal weight had fewer social symptoms.
What it means for you
Body weight does not appear to have a clear effect on PMS symptoms overall, though the findings suggest possible trends that a larger study might clarify. The study was observational without a control group, so we cannot determine cause and effect.
150
women
59%
had physical symptoms
45%
had psychological symptoms
About the study
- Original title
- EFFECT OF BODY MASS INDEX ON PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME SYMPTOMATOLOGY
- Authors
- Nazish Hayat, SAIMA PERVEEN, SEEMI GHAFFAR
- Journal
- Journal of Saidu Medical College
- Year
- 1969
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 150
- What was tested
- None
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.52206/jsmc.2015.5.2.699-702