ASSESSING CHANGES IN APPETITE DURING & AFTER MENSTRUAL CYCLE IN 18-25 YEAR OLD FEMALES

Clinical

BACKGROUND: Menstruation is the monthly process of shedding blood from the uterus in women of reproductive age, involving three primary phases: the follicular phase, the luteal phase, and the menstrual phase. Maintaining a healthy body weight requires a balanced and nutritious diet, yet several researchers have observed that the menstrual cycle can influence appetite changes at various stages. During the menstrual cycle, hormonal fluctuations regulate reproductive functions and impact physiological and psychological states, including mood, energy levels, and appetite. Women often experience premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which includes symptoms such as mood swings, increased appetite, and cravings, particularly for carbohydrates. These cravings are linked to serotonin level fluctuations, as consuming carbohydrates can temporarily boost mood by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. However, indulging in sugary and unhealthy foods can lead to weight gain and increased health risks over time. Despite partial insights provided by current research, a thorough understanding of the menstrual cycle's influence on appetite fluctuations remains incomplete. This study aims to fill this knowledge gap by assessing appetite changes during and after the menstrual cycle in young women. OBJECTIVE: To investigate how appetite changes during and after menstrual cycle among women of reproductive age. To understand how much changes happen in a person's appetite during different parts of their menstrual cycle. METHODOLOGY: The study conducted was a cross-sectional observational study carried out at D Y Patil University, Nerul, Navi Mumbai. Data of 100 females were collected. The females were selected through purposive sampling and according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data was collected using Anthropometric measurements. (height, weight, BMI) and a questionnaire to assess appetite changes. The questionnaire consisted of demographic details of anthropometric measurements, regularity of the menstrual cycle & its length, appetite changes during & after the menstrual cycle & appetite scoring. RESULT: The study analyzed various aspects related to menstrual cycle and appetite changes among 100 participants. The age-wise distribution of participants, revealing a peak frequency at age 22 (21.2 %). The BMI distribution, indicated that 57.1% of participants were of normal weight, the duration of menstruation, with the most common duration being 4-5 days (45.7%). Menstrual cycle regularity was highlighted with 78.1% reporting regular cycles. Appetite changes during and after the menstrual cycle were explored with 78.1% experiencing changes during menstruation and 60.0% after menstruation. The comparative mean appetite score during and after menstruation was illustrated, showing a slightly higher score after menstruation. The paired sample t-test indicated a significant decrease in appetite scores during menstruation compared to after menstruation (p < 0.001), suggesting a consistent pattern of decreased appetite during menstruation followed by an increase after. CONCLUSION: The comprehensive analysis of various parameters related to menstrual cycle and appetite changes among 105 participants provided valuable insights. The distribution of participants across different age groups, BMI categories, menstruation durations, and cycle regularities depicted a diverse sample. The majority of participants reported experiencing appetite changes during and after menstruation, indicating the significant impact of the menstrual cycle on appetite regulation. The comparative mean appetite scores further supported this finding, showing a slight increase in appetite after menstruation. The significant decrease in appetite scores during menstruation compared to after, as revealed by the paired sample t-test, underscores a consistent pattern of appetite fluctuations across the menstrual cycle. Overall, these findings emphasize the dynamic nature of appetite regulation during menstruation, highlighting the importance of considering menstrual cycle phases when addressing nutritional and health interventions for women.

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