Understanding Premenstrual Syndrome Among College Students and Its Association with Dietary Patterns
Date of Award
5-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
College/School
College for Community Health
Department/Program
Nutrition and Food Studies
Thesis Sponsor/Dissertation Chair/Project Chair
Yeon Bai
Committee Member
Lauren Dinour
Committee Member
Mousumi Bose
Abstract
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a complex symptom affecting females' quality of life. Many studies have suggested that diet influences the experience of PMS. College students are more likely to be influenced by PMS, but little is known about this population. This study aimed to (1) identify the prevalence of PMS among female college students, (2) examine the association between PMS presence/severity and diet quality, and (3) explore common symptoms of PMS and how these affect students' quality of life. A cross-sectional survey using convenience sampling was conducted from February to March 2025 at a university in northern New Jersey. An online questionnaire with both closed- and open-ended items covered demographics, the short Healthy Eating Index (sHEI), and premenstrual symptoms. The descriptive analysis, independent sample t-test, logistic regression, a paired sample t-test, and content analysis were performed. A total of 507 female students participated in the study, and 369 of them were included in the analysis. The presence of PMS was 33.6%. The mean sHEI score in the PMS group was 47.12 ± 11.50, with the mean scores in the No PMS group at 47.88± 8.90. There were no significant associations found between the presence/severity of PMS and diet quality. Common PMS symptoms frequently mentioned were bloating, cramps, and fatigue. The major impacts of PMS on life quality included decreased study effectiveness, challenges to daily activities, and social disengagement. Further research needs to validate the direction of the relationship between dietary patterns and PMS and to examine coping strategies for each premenstrual symptom to ensure the health of female students.
File Format
Recommended Citation
Takagi, Runa, "Understanding Premenstrual Syndrome Among College Students and Its Association with Dietary Patterns" (2025). Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects. 1562.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/etd/1562