Premenstrual syndrome–related quality of life: associations with ultra-processed food consumption, mindful eating, well-being, and social media addiction in women

TL;DR

This study explores how eating habits, social media use, and well-being affect the quality of life for women with premenstrual syndrome.

Contribution

The study reveals new multidimensional associations between ultra-processed food consumption, social media addiction, and premenstrual syndrome-related quality of life.

Findings

Higher ultra-processed food consumption and social media addiction are linked to poorer premenstrual syndrome-related quality of life.

Mindful eating and higher well-being are associated with better premenstrual syndrome-related quality of life.

Regression analyses show significant associations between PMS-QoL and factors like BMI, UPF consumption, and social media addiction.

Abstract

This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the associations between premenstrual syndrome–related quality of life (PMS-QoL), ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption, mindful eating, well-being, and social media addiction (SMA) among women.

This study was conducted with 1,741 women aged 18–49 years (mean age: 24.86 ± 8.4). Data were collected via a web-based survey distributed through social media using snowball sampling. Premenstrual Syndrome Quality of Life Scale (PMS-QoL), Screening Questionnaire of Highly Processed Food Consumption (sQ-HPF), Mindful Eating Inventory (MEI), WHO-5 Well-Being Index (WHO-5), and Social Media Addiction Scale (SMAS) were used.

PMS-QoL was significantly correlated with social media addiction SMAS (r =-0.448,p < 0.001), sQ-HPF (r=-0.196, p < 0.001), and well-being (WHO-5)(r = 0.129, p < 0.001). MEI was positively correlated with WHO-5 (r = 0.179, p < 0.001) and age (r = 0.145, p < 0.001), and negatively correlated with SMAS (r = -0.100, p < 0.001), sQ-HPF (r =-0.086, p < 0.001), and BMI (r =-0.160, p < 0.001). In addition, sQ-HPF was positively correlated with SMAS (r = 0.208, p < 0.001).Linear regression analyses showed that PMS-QoL was significantly associated with BMI, sQ-HPF, SMAS, and WHO-5; (p < 0.001), while MEI was significantly associated with age, BMI, social media usage time, sQ-HPF, and WHO-5 (p < 0.001).

This study highlights the multidimensional associations between PMS-related quality of life, eating behaviors, psychological well-being, and social media addiction. Higher UPF consumption and greater social media addiction were associated with poorer PMS-related quality of life, whereas mindful eating and higher well-being showed more favorable associations. From a women’s health perspective, these findings may point to the relevance of lifestyle-oriented and preventive approaches in relation to PMS-related quality of life.

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