Survey study, 2026
Is PMS linked to body fat percentage and eating disorder risk?
Women with PMS had a slightly higher body fat percentage. However, high BMI, not PMS, was the main independent risk factor for eating disorders.
What they did
252 women aged 18-40 in Istanbul completed questionnaires about PMS and eating attitudes, had their body measurements taken and body composition analyzed, and reported what they ate.
What they found
PMS was present in 57.9% of participants. The PMS group had higher body fat percentage (38.1% compared to 37.1%) than women without PMS. High BMI rather than PMS status was the primary independent risk factor for eating disorders.
What it means for you
Body fat percentage may play a more important role than other fat measurements in PMS. While a connection between PMS and eating disorder risk was found, high BMI appeared to be the main driver. Results were only from Istanbul and may not apply to other populations.
57.9%
had PMS
38.1%
body fat percentage in PMS group
37.1%
body fat percentage in non-PMS group
About the study
- Original title
- The interplay between premenstrual syndrome, eating disorder risk, and adiposity indicators: a cross-sectional study
- Authors
- Ozkan E, Kocatepe N, Seven Avuk H
- Journal
- BMC women's health
- Year
- 2026
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 252
- What was tested
- None - observational study.
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1186/s12905-026-04412-3
Topics
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