Survey study, 2025
Do poor eating habits make PMS symptoms worse?
Yes. Students with poor eating habits were significantly more likely to report moderate to severe PMS symptoms compared to those with better eating habits.
What they did
Cross-sectional correlational study of 53 female nursing students. The researchers measured eating habits using a Food Frequency Questionnaire, nutritional status using BMI measurements, and PMS symptoms using a validated questionnaire. Data were analyzed using univariate and chi-square tests.
What they found
64.2% of students had poor eating habits and 60.4% experienced moderate PMS symptoms. A significant association was found between eating habits and PMS (p=0.000), with cross-tabulation showing that students with poor eating habits were more likely to report moderate to severe PMS.
What it means for you
Poor diet appears to be linked to worse PMS symptoms. The main limitations are that this is a cross-sectional study with only 53 students in one location (Tuban), so causation cannot be established and the findings may not apply to other groups of women.
64.2%
with poor eating habits
60.4%
experiencing moderate PMS symptoms
p=0.000
significance of eating habits and PMS association
About the study
- Original title
- Association of Eating Habits and Nutritional Status with Premenstrual Syndrome in Female Nursing Students in Tuban
- Authors
- Jihan Jaiza Zhafira Qatrunada, Taufiqurrahman Taufiqurrahman, Nur Hatijah et al.
- Journal
- Journal of Nutrition Explorations
- Year
- 2025
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 53
- What was tested
- None
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.36568/jone.v3i4.235
Original abstract
The high prevalence of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) among female nursing students may be associated with poor eating habits and inadequate nutritional status. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between eating habits, nutritional status, and the occurrence of PMS. A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted among 53 randomly selected female nursing students. Data were collected using a semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) for eating habits, BMI measurements for nutritional status, and a validated questionnaire for PMS symptoms. Data analysis included univariate and Chi-square tests. Most participants had poor eating habits (64.2%) and normal nutritional status (62.3%). The majority experienced moderate PMS symptoms (60.4%). Cross-tabulation showed that students with poor eating habits were more likely to report moderate to severe PMS. A significant association was found between eating habits and PMS (p = 0.000), indicating that poor dietary practices are linked to greater PMS severity. These findings suggest that improving eating habits may help reduce the risk and intensity of PMS symptoms in female students.
Reproduced under CC-BY.
Topics
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