월경 전·후 여대생의 식사섭취 행태 변동성 분석

Abstract

This study aimed to elicit the variability of appetite and food intake patterns in female college students duringdifferent menstrual phases. The craving for certain foods and physiological and psychological symptoms of menstrualphase (pre- and post-menstrual) were investigated by self-administered questionnaire. Three hundred and sixty sixstudents who were 20.9 years old and had 19.8 kg/m2 of BMI volunteered to participate in this study. Most of thesubjects (89.5%) experienced the premenstrual syndrome (PMS) such as irritation, bodily fatigue, nervosity. Symptomssuch as tiredness, stomachache, changes in taste and increased appetite were pointed out to be experienced at the onsetof the menstrual cycle. The variability of food intake in premenstrual phase, 11.0% of subjects had decreased foodintake where as 68.8% had experienced increased intake. The postmenstrual phase, 20.1% had decreased food intakewhile 45.2% had experienced increased intake due to changes in the appetite. Before starting menstruation, most ofthe subjects craved for sweets. The group who had experienced abnormal appetite during menstrual phase wassignificantly high ratio in overweight and obese students (p < 0.05). We also observed an association between the PMSscore and the variability of eating patterns during the menstrual phase. The students who experienced changingappetite and food intake had significantly high PMS score in the premenstrual phase (p < 0.01) and postmenstrualphase (p < 0.05). These results suggested a need for future study related to changes in the actual nutrient intake andactivity level during the menstrual phase.