Survey study, 2025
Is PMS linked to changes in eating behavior?
Yes. Women with PMS had more uncontrolled eating and emotional eating compared to women without PMS. However, this only shows the behaviors go together, not that PMS causes them.
What they did
Researchers surveyed 351 Turkish women aged 18-49 about their eating behaviors and PMS symptoms using questionnaires. They also measured each woman's weight, height, and waist circumference. They compared eating patterns between women with and without PMS.
What they found
Women with PMS had higher scores for uncontrolled eating, emotional eating, and cognitive restriction (thinking about controlling food) compared to women without PMS (all p less than 0.05). Age, body weight (BMI), and PMS severity all influenced uncontrolled eating and emotional eating. Body weight and PMS severity also affected cognitive restriction about food.
What it means for you
PMS may be linked to eating behavior changes. Women with PMS eat more uncontrolledly or emotionally. Addressing eating could help manage PMS. Main limit: one-time survey in Turkey only. We cannot prove PMS causes these changes or rule out stress and sleep as other factors.
351
Women surveyed
18-49
Age range in years
p < 0.05
Statistical significance of findings
About the study
- Original title
- Relationship between premenstrual syndrome symptoms, anthropometric measurements, and eating behaviors in women of childbearing age: Turkish sample
- Authors
- Celik ÖM, Aytekin-Sahin G
- Journal
- BMC women's health
- Year
- 2025
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 351
- What was tested
- Not applicable
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03683-6
Topics
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