Dietary factors associated with premenstrual syndrome: A cross-sectional study of Turkish university students: Premenstrual syndrome and nutrition

Background/aim: The etiology of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is not precisely known; however, eating habits can affect the risk of PMS. This study compared the food consumption of individuals with and without PMS and determined the risk factors for PMS. Materials and method: This cross-sectional study consisted of 237 university students (PMS n=131, non-PMS n=106). Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with a questionnaire form including questions about sociodemographic characteristics of the participants, a PMS scale, food frequency questionnaire, and their anthropometric measurements. Participants’ 3-day food consumption was recorded. Risk factors for PMS were determined using logistic regression analysis. The threshold of significance level was p<0.05. Results: The mean score of PMS was significantly higher in participants with PMS (138.59±19.57) compared to those without PMS (92.22±17.99) (p<0.05). Participants with PMS consumed milk pudding/ice cream, biscuit/cracker varieties, honey/jam/molasses, sugar, coffee, chocolate/hazelnut-peanut butter, and carbonated/cola drinks more frequently than those without PMS. The amounts of daily energy (p=0.051) and carbohydrate consumption (p=0.036) of the group with PMS were higher than participants without PMS. The risk of PMS increased 2.903 times more in those who consumed milk puddings/ice cream more frequently (1-2 times/week or more), 2.468 times more in those who consumed honey/jam/molasses (5-6 times/week or more), and 2.270 times more in those who consumed sugar (5-6 times/week or more) (p<0.05). As income levels decreased, the risk of PMS increased (p<0.05). Conclusion: Participants experiencing PMS problems consumed foods with high, simple sugar content more frequently, which increased the risk of PMS. Therefore, a healthy diet rich in complex carbohydrates and with limited consumption of simple sugars is suggested to prevent PMS.