OVERVIEW OF ADOLESCENT MENSTRUAL PROBLEMS AND ITS RELATION TO BMI, EATING HABITS AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY.

Corresponding Author:
Dr. Gauri Raghunath Shinde,
C/o. Dr. Raghunath Shinde,
C/s. No. 1549, Opp. Swimming Tank,
Ganesh Nagar, Sangli-416416,
Maharashtra.
E-mail: drgauri8@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

Purpose of this study is to overview adolescent menstrual problems and its relation to BMI, eating habits and physical activity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Present study carried out in Obstetrics & Gynaecology Department, KIMSDU, Karad. In this study, 624 adolescent age group girls 11 to 19 yrs. who visited outpatient department were studied from Jan. 2013 to Dec. 2015. All these girls were asked for detailed history regarding age of menarche, menstrual pattern, any associated menstrual problems like dysmenorrhoea, pre-menstrual symptoms, history of passage of clots, menstrual irregularities. BMI of all these girls were calculated and categorised in to normal (18.5-24.99 kg/m²), underweight (14-18.49 kg/m²), and overweight & obese (>25 kg/m²). All these girls were asked regarding their diet habits. Frequency of eating junk food (categorised into <3 days per week and > 3 days per week). After all these detailed history collections, each girl underwent detailed general, per abdominal and local examination. All these girls underwent pelvic ultrasound to rule out major pelvic organic pathology. All these girls were further studied for the relation of dietary habits, BMI with the menstrual disorders. The girls diagnosed with menorrhagia were treated with Tab. Sylate 1 g tds for 5 days, haematinics or blood transfusion according to haemogram reports. Occasionally, few girls out of these required admission for acute events of menorrhagia & treated accordingly. Statistical analysis was done to know the % of menstrual problems in these girls and these results were compared with different study results.

RESULTS

In present study, 14.42% girls were obese/overweight, 16.34% were underweight. 32.85% girls were with habit of eating junk food >3 days a week. 57.69% girls giving history of physical activity <3 days a week. Dysmenorrhoea (66.34%) was a commonest problem. Incidence of irregular cycles was 30.76%, menorrhagia was 16.98%, PMS was 48.71%, abnormal duration of cycle in 14.42% and 16.34% girls were diagnosed as PCOD on USG. Overweight/obese and underweight girls had majority of menstrual problems (Dysmenorrhoea 76.66% vs. 40.19%, irregular cycles 16.66% vs. 21.56%, menorrhagia 16.66% vs. 21.56%, PMS 41.11% vs. 53.92%, abnormal duration of menses 13.33% vs. 14.70%, PCOD 75.55% vs. 9.8%). Maximum girls with dieting habits, less physical activity and habits of eating junk food were having multiple menstrual problems.

CONCLUSION

Changing lifestyle has increased incidences of bulimia nervosa, obesity, sedentary life style. All these things have an effect on developing adolescent girl. This is a vicious cycle of overeating/malnutrition adding to abnormal BMI which has an effect on physical activity of these girls which leads to menstrual problems. To overcome these problems in adolescent girls, awareness regarding physical activity, healthy eating habits, personal hygiene, counselling regarding diet to avoid increasing slim/plum body trends in adolescents should be done.

KEYWORDS

Adolescent Girl, Menstrual Problems, Adolescent Menstrual Problems.