Waist Circumference and Its Association With Premenstrual Food Craving: The PHASE Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Visceral adiposity is a significant marker of all-cause mortality. Reproductive age women are at a considerable risk for developing visceral adiposity; however, the associated factors are poorly understood. The proposed study evaluated whether food craving experienced during the premenstrual period is associated with waist circumference. Forty-six women (mean BMI = 24.36) prospectively provided daily ratings of food craving across two-three menstrual cycles (122 cycles total). Their premenstrual rating of food craving was contrasted against food craving in the follicular phase to derive a corrected summary score of the premenstrual food craving increase. Study groups were divided into normal (n = 26) and obese (n = 20) based on the 80 cm waist circumference cutoff signifying an increase in risk. Waist circumference category was significantly associated with premenstrual food cravings [F(1,44) = 5.12, p = 0.028]. Post hoc comparisons using the Tukey HSD test (95% family-wise confidence level) showed that the mean score for the food craving effect size was 0.35 higher for the abdominally obese vs. normal study groups (95% CI: 0.039 to 0.67). The result was statistically significant even following inclusion of BMI in the model, pointing to a particularly dangerous process of central fat accumulation. The present study establishes an association between temporal vulnerability to an increased food-related behavior and a marker of metabolic abnormality risk (i.e., waist circumference), thereby forming a basis for integrating the premenstruum as a viable intervention target for this at-risk sex and age group.

Sleep Quality in Women with Premenstrual Syndrome Is Associated with Metabolic Syndrome-Related Variables

“…As noted in our results, women with PMS showed more psychological disorders. These negative moods might result in abnormal dietary behaviors, such as premenstrual food craving, emotional eating and appetite for specific tastes or foods [28], which could result in obesity, especially central adiposity [15,28]. Additionally, as mentioned in our previous study, sleep patterns were associated with increased dietary consumption and changes in hormone levels, which could lead to obesity [29].…”

“…Although there is no consensus to date that the presence of PMS directly affects MetS, one study has demonstrated that Iranian women with PMS had a significantly increased risk of MetS [14]. Additionally, some studies have reported that women who experienced obesity showed higher concentrations of TGs, lower HDL cholesterol [14], increased abdominal obesity [15] and increased risk for hypertension [16], which are components of MetS.…”

Premenstrual syndrome and its association with body composition: A comprehensive review

“…A study reported that increase in weight, WHR and body fat percentage were significantly associated with increased PMS score by the women participants, may be due to leptin, synthesised by the adipose tissue, which plays a role in the gonadotropin regulation. Overweight and obese women with more number of fat cells produce higher levels of leptin and can contribute to the PMS [1,6]. However, more research is needed to establish a definitive link between body fat and PMS.…”

“…Dietary practices and nutritional factors are also known to play a role in the development and severity of PMS symptoms. Hormonal fluctuations in luteal phase are associated with reduced levels of amino acids and lipids leading to physiologically anabolic state and increasing the requirements for energy, which can have an effect on increased premenstrual food craving [6]. A significant association was found between consumption of simple carbohydrate and fat rich foods with the higher risk of PMS.…”