Does diet and exercise affect PMS in college students?

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.

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