A Study of Relation Between Body Mass Index and Dysmenorrhea and Its Impact on Daily Activities of Medical Students

Abstract

Objective: Dysmenorrhea is a condition, in which there is a severe, painful, cramping sensation in the lower abdomen which occurs just before or during the menses. It has a major impact on the quality of life and social and occupational roles of females in the society. It also results in insignificant work, school, and college absences in girls. As previous studies have failed to show a definite relation between dysmenorrhea and body mass index (BMI), the aim of our study was to find out an association between BMI and dysmenorrhea among medical students. Methods:The study was conducted on 200 medical students. Each one was supplied with a questionnaire with detailed menstrual history, family history of dysmenorrhea, and detailed H/O of physical exercise and dietary habits. BMI was calculated by the formula weight in kg/height 2 in meter, and based on the BMI criteria by the World Health Organization, the students were classified into four groups: Underweight, normal, overweight, and obese groups. The data obtained were statistically analyzed by Pearson Chi-square test, and p<0.5 was considered significant.Result: From our study, we found out that there is a positive correlation between dysmenorrhea and low BMI. Conclusion:As there is a positive correlation between BMI and dysmenorrhea, our aim was to educate people about dysmenorrhea and create awareness on diet and dysmenorrhea to assist in improving the quality of life in females.

Prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea and its relationship with body mass index

“…26,27 The present study revealed that UW females have a significantly higher prevalence of dysmenorrhea as compared to the OB ones. These findings are line with few previous studies.. 8,12,13,28,29 Chauhan et al narrates that all girls of their study group with moderate and severe dysmenorrhea had BMI < 16.5, but a drawback of this study was that 81% of their total study participants were only UW females, and none of the subject was OW or OB. This unequal distribution of subjects in different BMI groups may have caused a bias in the results.…”

“…6 Some studies reveal that there is no relationship between BMI and dysmenorrhea, 6,[9][10][11] whereas increased prevalence of PD is documented in underweight (UW) subjects by other authors. 8,12,13 Still some other data is suggestive of a positive association between increased BMI and PD. 14 In addition, the study results of Hong et al provide a U shaped relationship between BMI and PD, indicating that both the UW and overweight (OW) + obese (OB) females are at a higher risk of having PD.…”

“…But the data regarding the effects of BMI on PD is still controversial . Some studies reveal that there is no relationship between BMI and dysmenorrhea, whereas increased prevalence of PD is documented in underweight (UW) subjects by other authors . Still some other data is suggestive of a positive association between increased BMI and PD .…”

Flipped Classroom as a Teaching Strategy and Community Health Nursing Student’s Engagement, Satisfaction and Achievement

“…These results contradict another study findings reported by Chauhan [11], who found the frequency of dysmenorrhea to be greatest in the underweight group. [11,12] On the same time this result goes online with other study findings where the percentage of students having mild and moderate pain has low BMI [13].…”

Association Between Menstrual Disorders and Obesity-Related Anthropometric Indices in Female High School Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Studies have shown that various factors such as economic and social status, body mass index, age, education, and age of menarche affect menstruation (12,14). Adams et al found in their findings that women at lower ages are more likely to suffer from menstrual problems (15).…”