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INTRODUCTION
Since Frank (1931) coined the term premenstrual
tension for a group of symptoms
occurring during the premenstrual period,
many theories have been proposed regarding
its etiology (Abraham, 1983). The recognition
that nervous tension was not always
present in this symptom complex and that
the only consistent finding was the cyclical
nature of the symptoms and their relationship
to the premenstrual phase led Greene and
Dalton (1953) to propose the terms premenstrual
syndrome (PMS), which implies
one syndrome.
The patient with severe PMS develop
breast swelling and tenderness, a sensation
of abdominal bloating, and variable degrees
of edema in the extremities late in the
luteal phase. An increased thirst or appetite
and craving for sweets and salty foods are
common (Reid & Yen, 1981).
PMS differs from the menstrual symptoms
occurring during a woman’s period.
Studies conducted in other countries have
demonstrated that in the presence of PMS
many women increase their consumption of
sweets, soda drinks and junk food, especially
foods containing large amounts of sugar or
of sweet flavor. The objective of the present
study was to determine the influence of PMS
on the ingestion of sweets among college students.
MATERIAL AND METHOD
The study was conducted at the University
of Ribeirão Preto, Unaerp, on students
enrolled in the Dentistry course. Four-hundred
questionnaires were distributed for the
evaluation of PMS and food ingestion. The
questionnaire used was based on previously
proposed ones (Goei et al., 1982; Rossignol
& Bonnlander, 1991). During the distribution
of the questionnaire, which contained
an explanation of the objectives of the study,
the students received appropriate clarifications.
The students who responded to the
questionnaire were not required to identify
themselves. The following data were obtained
after the distribution of the 400 questionnaires:
50 students declared that they
had no experience of PMS and, therefore,
were excluded from analysis of the results.
Eighteen reported that they had experienced
PMS but that they did not consume sweets
or junk food, or even chocolate or sweet
beverages during a typical PMS day. These
respondents were also excluded. Eight students
did not return the questionnaire. Thus,
analysis of the results was performed using
the questionnaires returned by the remaining
324 students.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Frank (1931) described the premenstrual
syndrome as a disorder characterized
by symptoms of tension, depression, headache,
pain, breast swelling and abdominal
bloating. Table l lists the participants according
to age range, showing a prevalence of
19 years of age (32%), followed by 20 years
(26%), with 72% of the participants being
in the 18 to 20 year age range. Table 1 also
list ages at menarche, which was 12 years in
32% of cases and 13 years in 25%.
TABLE 1. NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS AND AGE AT
MENARCHE.
Participants
Menarche
Age Total Age Total
17 03 09 04
18 47 10 07
19 105 11 56
20 85 12 106
21 40 13 83
22 24 14 56
23 10 15 11
24 04 16 01
25 03 - -
26 03 - -
Total 324 324
Table 2 lists the symptoms and their
classification as moderate or severe, and
their relation to the ingestion of sweets
and/or junk food during a typical day of
PMS. Irritability and breast swelling were
the most prevalent symptoms compared to
students with no symptoms. Food ingestion
was also significant. A curious fact was that
in the group of 18 participants who did not
ingest sweets and whose data were not considered
in the analysis, irritability and breast
swelling were also the most frequent symptoms
during PMS. The symptoms observed
Rev. Fac. Odontol. Lins, Piracicaba, 16 (1): 47-50, 2004
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