--- title: How do PMS, sleep, activity, and weight affect how women feel about their bodies? description: Women with worse PMS, poorer sleep, higher weight, and more sitting time felt worse about their bodies. These factors worked together, with PMS having an inde url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/associations-of-lifestyle-and-biological-factors-with-body-image-among-2026/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - How do PMS, sleep, activity, and weight affect how women feel about their bodies? Survey study, 2026 # How do PMS, sleep, activity, and weight affect how women feel about their bodies? Women with worse PMS, poorer sleep, higher weight, and more sitting time felt worse about their bodies. These factors worked together, with PMS having an independent effect beyond just weight. Early or limited evidence 291 reproductive-aged women aged 18-45 (mean age 27 years) in online survey ## What they did Online survey of 291 women aged 18-45 (average age 27 years). They completed questionnaires about body image, physical activity, sedentary time, sleep quality, weight, and PMS symptoms. ## What they found Higher weight, greater PMS severity, poorer sleep quality, and longer sitting time were significantly linked to lower body appreciation. PMS was correlated with sleep quality (r=0.309) and work-related activity (r=0.119). Recreational activity showed no significant relationship with PMS or sleep quality. ## What it means for you PMS affects how women feel about their bodies independently of weight. However, this is a small online study and the findings cannot prove these factors cause body dissatisfaction. The results may not generalize to women not using online surveys. 291 Sample size 0.309 Correlation between PMS and sleep quality 27 Mean age in years ## About the study Original title Associations of lifestyle and biological factors with body image among reproductive-aged women: a cross-sectional study Authors Dózsa-Juhász O, Prémusz V, Ács P et al. Journal Scientific reports Year 2026 Study design Survey study Participants 291 What was tested None Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-56798-7](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-56798-7) Original abstract This study aimed to identify lifestyle and biological factors associated with body image among reproductive-aged women, focusing on physical activity, sedentary time, sleep, BMI, premenstrual symptoms (PMS), and sleep quality. A secondary aim was to explore interrelationships among these factors to contextualise their combined association with body image. In this cross-sectional online survey, 291 women aged 18-45 years participated (mean age: 27.16 ± 0.36 years). Validated questionnaires were used to assess body image (Body Appreciation Scale), physical activity (Global Physical Activity Questionnaire), sleep quality (Sleep Quality Scale), BMI, and PMS (Premenstrual Assessment Form-Short Form). Data were analysed with IBM SPSS 28.0 using multivariable linear regression and correlation analyses (p < 0.05). Higher BMI, greater PMS severity, poorer sleep quality and longer sedentary time were significantly associated with lower body appreciation. Correlations were found between PMS and sleep quality (r = 0.309; p < 0.001), PMS and work-related moderate activity (r = 0.119; p = 0.043), and sleep quality and work-related moderate activity (r = 0.169; p = 0.004). No significant associations were observed for recreational physical activity with PMS (r=-0.041; p = 0.544) or sleep quality (r=-0.040; p = 0.498). Body image in reproductive-aged women was associated with both lifestyle behaviours and biological symptom burden. The findings suggest that supporting positive body image may benefit from integrated approaches addressing sedentary behaviour, sleep quality and menstrual health alongside weight-related factors. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Sleep and insomnia](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-sleep/)[Exercise and yoga](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-exercise/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/) 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 Survey study, 2026 Does exercise help college women with period problems and mental health? 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