Survey study, 2020
Does appetite and food cravings change during the menstrual cycle?
Yes. 70.4% of women reported increased appetite during their menstrual cycle, peaking at 85.8% before menstruation. Cravings for sweets were linked to depression, anger, and sleepiness.
What they did
Cross-sectional study. 311 female health sciences students completed a questionnaire about changes in appetite and food cravings before, during, and after their period, and how these changes were linked to premenstrual symptoms.
What they found
70.4% of women had increased appetite during the menstrual cycle, with the highest rate (85.8%) before menstruation. Sweets had the highest intake during all menstrual phases followed by junk food. Increased appetite was significantly linked to depression and sleepiness. Increased sweets intake was linked to depression, anger, and sleepiness. Junk food intake was linked to irritability and depression.
What it means for you
Many women experience increased appetite before their period, especially for sweets and junk food. These cravings are linked to mood symptoms like depression and anger. The study shows the connection but cannot prove that hormones cause the cravings or mood changes.
311
female students
70.4%
had increased appetite during menstrual cycle
85.8%
had increased appetite before menstruation
About the study
- Original title
- Change in appetite and food craving during menstrual cycle in young students
- Authors
- Matsuura Yukie, Inoue Aoi, Kidani Mizuki et al.
- Journal
- International Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism
- Year
- 2020
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 311
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.5897/ijnam2019.0264
Original abstract
The change in appetite and food cravings before, during and after menstruation and the relationships between each premenstrual symptom and change in appetite and type of food with increased intake were investigated. This study was conducted by a self-administered questionnaire in 311 female students of health sciences. It was found that the proportion of students who increased the appetite was 70.4% during the menstruation cycle, and the highest period was before menstruation (85.8%). Sweets had the highest intake in all menstrual phases followed by junk food. It was found that increased appetite was significantly associated with depression and sleepiness. Moreover, increased intake of sweets was associated with depression, anger and sleepiness, while intake of junk food was associated with irritability and depression. In conclusion, the relationships between increased appetite for sweets and junk food and premenstrual symptoms indicate the need for promoting proper menstruation-related eating habits. Key words: Premenstrual symptoms, change in appetite, food craving, sweets, junk food.
Reproduced under CC-BY.
Topics
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