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Survey study, 2025

How do body clock, exercise, and appetite relate to PMS?

As PMS increased, physical activity decreased, appetite increased, and women preferred emotionally comforting foods and evening hours.

Early or limited evidence 931 women aged 18-40 at a private nutrition clinic in Istanbul

What they did

Cross-sectional survey of 931 women aged 18-40 at a nutrition clinic in Istanbul answering questions about body clock, physical activity, PMS, appetite, and food preferences.

What they found

All associations were highly statistically significant (p<0.001). As PMS increased: physical activity decreased, appetite increased, food preferences shifted toward emotionally attractive foods, and evening chronotype preference increased.

What it means for you

PMS is linked to reduced activity, increased appetite, and comfort food cravings. However, this observational study cannot show whether PMS causes these changes or vice versa. Results are from a clinic population in Istanbul.

931

women studied

p<0.001

significance for all associations

About the study

Original title
Investigating the associations between chronotype, physical activity, premenstrual syndrome, hunger, and food choice among Turkish women
Authors
Arslan M, Deniz FN
Journal
Psychology, health & medicine
Year
2025
Study design
Survey study
Participants
931
What was tested
None - study observed associations

Topics