The effect of nutrition education on premenstrual syndrome: Randomized controlled study.

In 30 seconds

This randomized controlled study evaluated a brief nutrition education intervention in 83 nursing students diagnosed with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Participants were assigned to a 1-hour education session with follow-up emails or a control group, with outcomes assessed at baseline and 4 months. In the intervention group, total PMS scores decreased by 27.5 points (p < 0.05); body weight, BMI, and waist and hip circumferences also declined significantly. Several nutrient intakes increased, while the control group had no significant changes. The findings suggest potential benefits of nutrition education for PMS symptoms and related dietary and anthropometric measures in this population.

Key findings

• In the intervention group, total PMSS scores decreased by 27.5 points (p < 0.05), with reductions across several symptom subscales.
• Body weight decreased by 1.2 kg, BMI by 0.5 kg/m², waist circumference by 2.1 cm, and hip circumference by 1.5 cm (all p < 0.05).
• Protein, vitamin B2, calcium, iron, and zinc intake increased significantly; no significant changes were observed in the control group.

Why it matters

PMS can affect daily functioning, and this trial suggests that a brief educational intervention may improve symptoms alongside dietary intake and anthropometric measures. The results provide evidence for considering nutrition education as a non-pharmacological component of PMS management, while recognizing that the study involved a specific student population and does not establish effects in other groups.

What to keep in mind

The study involved nursing students with PMS, so findings may not generalize to other populations. The abstract does not report between-group effect estimates or longer-term outcomes.