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Survey study, 2021

Is body weight linked to PMS?

Body weight showed almost no connection to PMS in this study of 100 medical students. We cannot be sure because the study is small and limited to one college.

Early or limited evidence 100 medical students in Gangtok, India with mean age 20.7 years

What they did

Cross-sectional study at one medical college. Measured height and weight in 100 female medical students (mean age 20.7 years) and assessed PMS using a self-reported diary.

What they found

53% had PMS. Body weight showed poor correlation with PMS (0.027, P = 0.869). Girls with low or high BMI reached menarche at mean age 12.5 years, but this difference was not significant (P = 0.142). Poor negative correlation between BMI and age at menarche (-0.052, P = 0.606). Positive correlation between age at menarche and PMS (0.182, P = 0.07).

What it means for you

Body weight did not predict who had PMS in this group. The study is limited because it was small (100 students), cross-sectional, and from only one college.

53%

Had PMS

24%

Had high BMI

0.027

Correlation between BMI and PMS

About the study

Original title
Correlation of Body mass index with premenstrual syndrome and age at menarche in medical students
Authors
Aarushi Kharb, Rubi Dey
Journal
National Journal of Physiology Pharmacy and Pharmacology
Year
2021
Study design
Survey study
Participants
100
What was tested
None
Open access
Yes

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