Influence of Dietary Patterns and Premenstrual Syndrome on the Nutritional Status of Female Adolescents in University of Ilorin

ABSTRACT
This study examines the influence of dietary patterns and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) on the nutritional status of female adolescents at the University of Ilorin. Adolescence is a critical period of growth, and proper nutrition plays a vital role in health and well-being. However, dietary choices are often influenced by lifestyle, socio-economic factors, and menstrual health. PMS, a common condition among menstruating females, affects eating habits and can contribute to poor nutrition. Despite its significance, limited research has explored the combined effects of dietary patterns and PMS on the nutritional status of female adolescents in Nigerian universities. Five research questions and three hypotheses guided the study. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted. The study population comprised female adolescents aged 15–19 years enrolled at the University of Ilorin. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 205 respondents from various faculties. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire (Dietary Patterns and Premenstrual Syndrome Questionnaire – DPPSQ), and nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric measures. The reliability of the instrument was confirmed through a pilot study, yielding a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.87. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Findings revealed that dietary patterns among female adolescents included both healthy and unhealthy habits. While some respondents maintained balanced diets, a significant proportion consumed high-sugar, high-fat, and processed foods, which negatively impacted their nutritional status. PMS was highly prevalent, with symptoms such as mood swings, bloating, fatigue, and cravings for unhealthy foods. A significant relationship was found between dietary patterns, PMS severity, and nutritional status, indicating that poor dietary choices worsened PMS symptoms and, in turn, PMS influenced unhealthy eating behaviors. The study concluded that dietary habits and PMS symptoms interact to influence the nutritional well-being of female adolescents. Based on the findings, nutrition education programs, PMS awareness campaigns, balanced meal plans, hydration promotion, and increased physical activity were recommended to improve adolescent health. Future studies should explore long-term dietary interventions, broader population samples, and psychosocial factors affecting dietary behaviors and PMS symptoms.