--- title: Does diet and exercise affect PMS in college students? | Niyora description: Higher weight and certain foods like burgers and hard cheese were linked to more PMS, and women without PMS were more likely to exercise regularly. The connec url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/association-between-premenstrual-syndrome-lifestyle-and-dietary-habits-among-2026/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does diet and exercise affect PMS in college students? Survey study, 2026 # Does diet and exercise affect PMS in college students? Higher weight and certain foods like burgers and hard cheese were linked to more PMS, and women without PMS were more likely to exercise regularly. The connections are modest but real. Early or limited evidence 502 female college students in Saudi Arabia ## What they did Surveyed 502 female college students in Saudi Arabia using questionnaires about diet and exercise habits. Researchers measured their weight and height, asked about physical activity, and assessed PMS symptoms using the Shortened Premenstrual Assessment Form. ## What they found 62% of students had PMS. Women with higher BMI were more likely to have PMS, and there was a significant positive correlation between BMI and PMS severity. Eating burgers, hard cheese, and oranges was independently linked to higher chances of PMS. 79.7% did not exercise regularly, and women without PMS exercised significantly more than those with PMS. ## What it means for you What you eat and whether you exercise may influence PMS severity. This is a snapshot study, not proof of cause and effect. We cannot say whether changing diet or exercise would actually improve PMS symptoms. All participants were college students in one country. 62% Had PMS 79.7% Did not exercise regularly 21.6 kg/m² Mean BMI ## About the study Original title Association between Premenstrual Syndrome, Lifestyle and Dietary Habits among College Students Authors Huwaikem M Journal Research Square Year 2026 Study design Survey study Participants 502 What was tested None (observational study) Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8800538/v1](https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8800538/v1) Original abstract Abstract Premenstrual syndrome encompasses a constellation of behavioral, physical, and emotional symptoms influenced by dietary and lifestyle factors. This cross-sectional study, conducted at King Faisal University in Saudi Arabia, explored the relationship between PMS and dietary patterns among 502 female college students. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire, the Shortened Premenstrual Assessment Form (SPAF), and a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). The mean BMI of the study participants was 21.6 kg/\(\:{m}^{2}\). PMS was diagnosed in 62% of the students. 79.7% of subjects did not engage in regular physical activity. A significant positive correlation was found between BMI and PMS severity (r = 0.111, p = 0.013). Although coffee and tea were among the most frequently consumed beverages, multivariate analysis revealed that consumption of burgers, hard cheese, and oranges was independently associated with a higher likelihood of PMS. Regular physical activity was significantly more prevalent among participants without PMS. No significant differences were observed between PMS and non-PMS groups with respect to age, coffee intake, or water consumption. The study finding highlighted that diet represents a potentially modifiable factor in PMS management, underscoring the need for increased awareness and individualized interventions to mitigate the academic and psychological burden of PMS. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Exercise and yoga](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-exercise/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/)[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 Systematic review, 2025 How common are PMS, PMDD, and painful periods in nursing students, and do they affect their schooling? Cohort study, 2026 Are diet and lifestyle linked to premenstrual symptoms in college students? Survey study, 2026 What factors most strongly drive PMS severity in female engineering students? Cohort study, 2026 Are stress, physical activity, and diet linked to premenstrual symptoms? Non-randomised trial, 2026 Does a lifestyle education program reduce PMS symptoms? Survey study, 2025 Is emotional eating linked to PMS in university women? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗