--- title: Is PMS linked to eating disorders and body fat? | Niyora description: Women with PMS had slightly higher body fat (38.1% vs 37.1%) and more smoking than women without PMS. However, high BMI, not PMS itself, was the main risk fac url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-interplay-between-premenstrual-syndrome-eating-disorder-risk-and-adiposity-2025/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Is PMS linked to eating disorders and body fat? Survey study, 2025 # Is PMS linked to eating disorders and body fat? Women with PMS had slightly higher body fat (38.1% vs 37.1%) and more smoking than women without PMS. However, high BMI, not PMS itself, was the main risk factor for eating disorders. Early or limited evidence 252 women aged 18-49 in Istanbul attending a nutrition clinic ## What they did Cross-sectional study of 252 women aged 18 to 49 attending a nutrition clinic in Istanbul. Researchers measured PMS, eating attitudes, body composition, and dietary intake using standard methods. ## What they found PMS was detected in 57.9% of participants. The PMS group had significantly higher body fat percentage (38.1% vs 37.1%, p = 0.039) and higher smoking rates (28.8% vs 16.0%, p = 0.018). High BMI, rather than PMS status, was the primary independent risk factor for eating disorders. Nutrient intake did not differ between groups. ## What it means for you Women with PMS tend to have slightly more body fat and smoke more, but eating disorder risk is driven by weight, not PMS itself. The study was in one clinic in Turkey, so results may not apply to all women. No causal relationships can be determined from this type of study. 57.9% Had PMS 38.1% vs 37.1% Body fat in PMS group vs no PMS 28.8% vs 16.0% Smoking in PMS group vs no PMS ## About the study Original title The Interplay Between Premenstrual Syndrome, Eating Disorder Risk, and Adiposity Indicators: A Cross Sectional Study on Women Authors OZKAN E, KOCATEPE N, AVUK HS Journal Research Square Year 2025 Study design Survey study Participants 252 What was tested None (observational study) Read the paper [doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8246542/v1](https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8246542/v1) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/)[Eating disorders](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-eating-disorders/)[Alcohol, smoking and substance use](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-substance-use/)[Stigma, attitudes and culture](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-stigma-culture/) 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, 2018 Does what or how adolescents eat matter for PMS? Case-control study, 2010 Do women with PMDD crave high-sugar and high-fat foods more than other women? Survey study, 2026 Do women with severe PMS symptoms have higher odds of eating disorders? Survey study, 2026 Is PMS linked to body fat percentage and eating disorder risk? Survey study, 2025 Does what women eat affect how severe their PMS is? Survey study, 2023 How do eating habits change during the menstrual cycle in women with PMS? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗