What diet and lifestyle habits increase PMS risk in college students?

Objectives: Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a combination of emotional and physical symptoms occurring the week before menstruation and lasts 2-3 days during menstruation. This study aims to examine the dietary intake and lifestyle triggers among students with and without PMS from Pune, India. Methods: We conducted an interview-based, cross-sectional study among 360 college-going students aged 18 to 24 in Pune. The questionnaire recorded socio-demographic details, anthropometry, physical activity, substance abuse, and dietary habits. A Food Frequency Questionnaire assessed dietary patterns, while the MDQ (Menstrual Distress Questionnaire) diagnosed PMS. PMS severity was measured using the Premenstrual Screening Tool (PSST). Risk determinants for PMS were analyzed, with significance set at p<0.05. Results: The prevalence of PMS among 18-24-year-old college students was 51.4 %. There is no association observed between participants' demographic and anthropometric characteristics with PMS. It was observed that participants who frequently consumed cakes, pastries, and pizza and those who consumed contraceptive pills, slept 5-6 h on weekdays were at higher risk of experiencing PMS symptoms. Conclusions: This study suggests that frequent consumption of cakes, pastries, and pizza is a potential risk factor for increasing the incidence of PMS among college students. The severity of symptoms was notably higher among those who used contraceptive pills and had shorter sleep durations.

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