Assessment Of Dietary Preferences Across The Different Stages Of The Menstrual Cycle Among Adolescents:

Abstract

Menstrual cycle is a physiological phenomenon occurring in females on monthly basis which helps in conception and implantation. The fact that the menstrual cycle begins during the adolescent is one of the changes that affect the nutrition and health of adolescent girls to a very large extent. To enhance knowledge about the amount of nutrition knowledge menstrual health education and overall well-being through the evaluating food choice during several cycles in adolescent’s this research was conducted. The purpose of this research shall be to establish the differences in dietary preferences amongst adolescents before, during and after the menstrual cycle, and distinguish the different food types preferred during each phase. Further, it aims at identifying the role of mood and psychological aspect on these cravings and the cycle as a whole. In the study, 222 adult female participants rated their food choices based on the three phases of their menstrual cycle. In accordance with their menstrual cycle stages, normality of menstrual cycle, female also questioned about their concerns regarding their physical and emotional health. The gathered data was then analyzed using descriptive statistical methods, correlation, and the hypothesis was supported by the chi square test. In the course of the research, it was evident that a proper functioning of the female reproductive system is influence by medical issues in regard to the regularity of the menstrual cycle. Moreover, there are marked differences in food preferences at different stages of the menstrual cycle. Taste preferences during menstruation were more inclined towards ‘sweet’ and ‘fatty’ foods; the most preferred meal as identified by (22%) of the respondents was ‘sweets’ Consumption of salty snacks was higher in the luteal phase (24%) and carbohydrate rich food in the follicular phase (21%). The lowest proportion of scores for the sour food cravings were recorded in the follicular phase (11%). Altogether, major craving was most often expressed, mainly during the luteal and menstrual phases and also demonstrated the correlation is (.197**), statistically significant at the 0.01 level) of food preference between luteal and menstrual phase of the menstrual cycle. In addition, this study makes a further attempt by explaining the kind of diet preferences during the different stages of menstrual cycle that exist, this study reveals how nutritional interventions connect to teens’ body needs. Adolescence remains a special epoch in the progress of man-centered on the advancement, changes, and development. Thus, awareness of these dietary fluctuations and menstrual cycle patterns during this period will help in creating healthy eating habits and, in general wellbeing.