The Correlation Between Some Body Composition Indices and Premenstrual Syndrome in Young Females

Abstract

Background : Different body composition indices may indicate various physiological statuses. Objectives : The current study aimed at investigating the correlation between body composition indices (body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BFP), and abdominal fat) as well as physical and psychological symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Methods : The current cross sectional study was conducted on 60 voluntary female students of Shiraz University (age: 18 - 25 years) in December 2016. Inclusion criteria were regular menstrual cycles, being single, no pregnancy, and no history of thyroid disease, polycystic ovaries, cancer, diabetes, and diagnosed psychiatric complications. Subjects completed Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire. Weight and height of subjects were recorded to calculate BMI, BFP and abdominal fat were calculated using the body composition analyzer. The Pearson correlation coefficient and regression analysis were used to analyze the data. Results : The results of the current study revealed significant and positive correlation between BMI and physical symptoms of PMS (P = 0.045), BMI and psychological symptoms (P = 0.024), BFP and physical symptoms (P = 0.019), BFP and psychological symptoms (P = 0.023), abdominal fat and physical symptoms (P = 0.017), and abdominal fat and psychological symptoms of PMS (P = 0.049). Conclusions : The higher level of body composition indices were related to higher PMS symptoms and abdominal fat was the most important predictor for PMS symptoms.

Keywords

• premenstrual syndrome
• body mass index
• body fat percentage
• abdominal fat