Assessment of Nutritional Status and Food Habits during Menstrual Cycle of College Going Girls

ABSTRACT: Introduction: The menstrual cycle is an important indicator of women's reproductive health consisting of various events such as physical symptoms, behavioral, and emotional symptoms prior or during menstrual cycle. Menstruation marks the shedding of the uterine lining when pregnancy does not occur, and this cycle is an important indicator of women’s reproductive health.Menstrual cramps, or dysmenorrhea, are a common symptom associated with the menstrual cycle, characterized by painful menstruation that can affect daily life. Primary dysmenorrhea typically begins during adolescence and may decrease with age. Aim :The aim of this study was to study the nutritional status and dietary patterns during menstrual cycle among the study subjects. Methodology: This descriptive study was conducted among young adult female students of age 18- 24 years old of Telangana Mahila Viswavidyalayam, Hyderabad, Telangana. The size of the sample was 100. The data was collected by using offline and online questionnaire. A pilot study was done and changes were made in questionnaires. The methods used in this study included a detailed questionnaire. Data was analyzed by using frequency distribution and chi-square test. Results and discussion: The Body Mass Index (BMI) distribution showed that 17% were underweight, 64% had a normal weight, 14% were overweight, and 5% were obese. Data on menstrual cycle characteristics revealed that 58% had cycles of 28-31 days, and 78% experienced a menstrual flow lasting 3-5 days. Common symptoms included stomach cramps, leg and back pain, and mood swings, reported by 58% of participants. The majority (70%) affirmed certain behaviors, with symptoms most frequently experienced "Sometimes" (39%). Dietary preferences indicated that 86% were non-vegetarian, 13% were vegetarian, and 1% were vegan. The data provided an overview of cravings during menstruation, showing that 61% of people experienced cravings, with 36.90% craved sugary foods the most. Cravings generally lasted 1-2 days for 42.85% of respondents. Additionally, 70% of people noticed a difference in their appetite during their menstrual cycle, with 78.60% eating more and 21.40% eating less. Finally, food preferences were evenly split, with 50% of respondents preferring homemade meals and 50% preferring junk food. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant association between changes in appetite during the menstrual cycle and BMI(chi² test). Dietary patterns and cravings vary during menstruation, influenced by BMI.