Food & Nutrition

Arab Journal of Food & Nutrition
60. Evaluation of Energy and Nutrient Intakes and Urinary Excretion of Sodium
and Potassium during Menstrual Cycle in a Group of Jordanian Women (2003)
Ola Aref Al-Zghoul\ University of Jordan
Supervisor: Dr. Mousa Numan Ahmad
Anthropometric, dietary and urinary variables were evaluated in a sample of 16
young adult Jordanian women aged 17-32 years during the follicular, ovulatory and
luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. The variables included body weight, skinfold
thicknesses, intakes of energy, carbohydrate, protein, fat, dietary fiber and selected
vitamins and minerals, as well as urinary volume and excretion of sodium and
potassium. Body mass index and percent body fat were calculated. Measurements
were made on two assigned days of each cycle phase for two consecutive menstrual
cycles. Women were apparently healthy, unmarried, with regular and well-defined
length (26-28 days) cycles, not on a special diet or medication and were following
habitual moderate life style activity.
The average of body weight changed insignificantly 57.1±1.8, 57.2±1.7 and
57.6±1.7 kg during the follicular, ovulatory and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle.
Body mass index, body fat and skinfold thicknesses followed insignificant changes as
well. The mean energy intake values did not significantiy 1765±75, 1798±68 and
1925±101 kcal during the follicular, ovulatory and luteal phases of the cycle. A trend
of increase in this variable was observed during the luteal phase compared with other
phases. A similar trend was also noticed for carbohydrate intakes. The intakes of
carbohydrates, protein, fat and dietary fiber, as well as vitamins and minerals did not
change during the different phases of the menstrual cycle. However, women consumed
just over 50%, 60% and 70% of the recommended dietary allowance of calcium, zinc
and iron. The mean values of sodium intake were 1448±175, 1399±146 and 1420±155
mg/day, while its excretions were 2956±202, 2982±231 and 2842±171 mg/day during
the follicular, ovulatory and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle, respectively, which
were not significant. The mean values of potassium intake were 1817±140, 1764±114
and 1943±110 mg/day and its urinary excretion mean values were 1651±100, 1698±70
and 1720±67 mg/day during the respective phases of the cycle which were also not
significant. Sodium intake represented about 60% of its safe level, where as sodium
excretion represented almost 120% of its safe level. Although number of servings from
different food groups showed no differences during the cycle phases, women showed
cravings for sugar, Arabic sweets, hallawa and chocolate during the luteal phase.
It can be concluded that the hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual
cycle are of insignificant strength to alter homeostasis of the body. Lack of
insignificant pattern of change in energy and nutrient intakes was seen, though specific
food selection may be indicated. The study points out that 24-hour urinary outputs for
sodium and potassium reflect inputs with acceptable accuracy, referring to other
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Volume 221 11, No. 25, 2011