Association between eating behaviors and premenstrual syndrome severity among Japanese female university students: a cross-sectional study

Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) affects the quality of life (QOL) and daily functioning of young women. Dietary and nutritional intake are a suggested approach to alleviate PMS symptoms However, lifestyle factors of female students, such as living alone or dietary restrictions, may exacerbate PMS symptoms. This study investigated the relationship between PMS symptoms and eating behaviors among female university and graduate students, identifying dietary behavior factors that may exacerbate or alleviate these symptoms. Methods: An online survey was targeted female university and graduate students aged 18 to under 25. The questionnaire included basic information, PMS symptoms, and eating behaviors. PMS symptoms were assessed using the Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS/PMDD) Questionnaire. Eating behaviors were evaluated using the Eating Behavior Questionnaire. Eating behavior scores across PMS severity groups were compared using one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey-Kramer tests. Results: = 0.04) than the "Moderate PMS" (Cohen's d = 0.907) and the "No/Mild PMS" (Cohen's d = 0.886) groups. And the "Severe PMS group" had a significantly higher sub-score "Hunger and satiety" on the Eating Behavior Questionnaire than the "Moderate PMS" (Cohen's d = 1.039) and the "No/Mild PMS" (Cohen's d = 0.915) groups. Conclusion: PMS severity was associated with eating behaviors, particularly hunger and satiety, suggesting that foods that promote fullness or stabilize blood sugar levels may help alleviate PMS symptoms. Addressing eating behaviors, alongside nutritional intake, may be an effective approach to managing PMS symptoms. However, establishing a causal relationship between these factors requires longitudinal research.