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Journals / Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 17 Sayı: 2

The Association Between Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Premenstrual Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study

Akdeniz Diyetine Uyum ile Premenstrüel Sendrom Arasındaki İlişki: Kesitsel Bir Çalışma

Kadriye Toprak(ANKARA MEDİPOL UNIVERSITY)0000-0001-8706-8689
Aliye Kuyumcu(SULEYMAN DEMIREL UNIVERSITY)0000-0002-6830-1534
Pages
346–353
Publication Date
2026-08-24
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

However, further research is needed to confirm these findings and apply them in clinical practice.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Objective: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a widespread condition that significantly impacts women’s quality of life.
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Key Findings & Data:Material and Methods: A total of 682 female students were divided into two groups based on their premenstrual syndrome status (n = 382 with PMS, n = 300 without PMS), according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' diagnostic criteria and scores from the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale.
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Conclusion & Impact:However, further research is needed to confirm these findings and apply them in clinical practice.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Premenstrüel sendrom · Akdeniz diyeti · MEDAS

Abstract

Objective: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a widespread condition that significantly impacts women’s quality of life. While dietary factors have been proposed to influence PMS symptoms, there is limited evidence on the effects of following a Mediterranean diet. This study explored how adhering to a Mediterranean diet affects premenstrual syndrome in female university students pursuing nursing degrees. Material and Methods: A total of 682 female students were divided into two groups based on their premenstrual syndrome status (n = 382 with PMS, n = 300 without PMS), according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' diagnostic criteria and scores from the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale. The scale was also used to assess the severity of premenstrual symptoms. A 24-hour dietary recall was conducted, and the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Scale (MEDAS) was used to evaluate adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Results: Students with PMS had significantly lower Mediterranean Diet Adherence scores than those without PMS (p<0.001). As adherence to the Mediterranean diet increased, PMS scores decreased (p<0.001). Each one-point increase in MEDAS score was associated with a 10.9% higher likelihood of not having PMS (p<0.001). Conclusion: The findings suggest that following a Mediterranean diet, a recognized cultural heritage, may help reduce PMS symptoms among students. However, further research is needed to confirm these findings and apply them in clinical practice.

Özet

Amaç: Premenstrüel sendrom (PMS), kadınların yaşam kalitesini önemli ölçüde etkileyen yaygın bir durumdur. Diyetle ilgili bazı faktörlerin PMS semptomlarını etkileyebileceği öne sürülmüş olsa da Akdeniz diyetinin bu semptomlar üzerindeki etkilerine ilişkin kanıtlar hala sınırlıdır. Bu çalışmada, hemşirelik bölümünde okuyan üniversite öğrencilerinde Akdeniz diyetine uyumun premenstrüel sendrom ile ilişkisi incelenmiştir. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Toplam 682 kız öğrenci, Amerikan Kadın Hastalıkları ve Doğum Uzmanları Koleji’nin (ACOG) tanı kriterleri ve Premenstrüel Sendrom Ölçeği puanlarına göre PMS durumu dikkate alınarak iki gruba ayrılmıştır (n=382 PMS’li, n=300 PMS’siz). Premenstrüel Sendrom Ölçeği aynı zamanda premenstrüel semptomların şiddetini değerlendirmek için de kullanılmıştır. Beslenme durumunun saptanması için 24 saatlik geriye dönük besin tüketim kaydı alınmış ve Akdeniz Diyeti Uyum Ölçeği (MEDAS) uygulanmıştır. Bulgular: Sonuçlar, PMS’li öğrencilerin MEDAS puanlarının, PMS görülmeyen öğrencilere kıyasla istatistiksel olarak anlamlı düzeyde daha düşük olduğunu ortaya koymuştur (p<0.001). Ayrıca, Akdeniz diyetine uyum düzeyindeki artış ile PMS semptom şiddetinde anlamlı bir azalma arasında ters yönlü bir ilişki saptanmıştır (p<0.001). Bireylerin MEDAS puanındaki her bir birimlik artış, PMS görülmeme olasılığında %10,9 oranında bir yükselme ile ilişkili bulunmuştur (p<0.001). Sonuç: Elde edilen bu sonuçlar, kültürel bir miras olarak bilinen Akdeniz diyetine uyumun, öğrencilerde PMS semptomlarını azaltmaya yardımcı olabileceğini düşündürmektedir. Ancak, bu sonuçların doğrulanması ve klinik uygulamalara yansıtılması için daha ileri araştırmalara ihtiyaç vardır.

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Cite This Article

Toprak, K., Kuyumcu, A. (2026). The Association Between Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Premenstrual Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study. Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, Cilt: 17 Sayı: 2, 346–353. https://doi.org/10.22312/sdusbed.1800551

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