A comparison of physical activity and nutrition in young women with and without primary dysmenorrhea

Background: Dysmenorrhea is the most common gynecological disorder in young women and is seen in almost 50% of women. The present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between physical activity and nutrition with primary dysmenorrhea in students at Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences (Sari, Iran) in 2015. Methods: This comparative descriptive study was conducted on 250 students with and without primary dysmenorrhea. Data were collected using personal-demographic, nutrition and physical activity questionnaires. The output was then analyzed in SPSS-18 using independent t-test, Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. Results: The results showed significant differences between the two groups in terms of nutrition and physical activity, as the mean score of nutrition was 57.91 in the group with dysmenorrhea and 61.68 in the group without, while the mean intensity of physical activity was 5518.75 metric in the group with dysmenorrhea and 4666.42 metric in the group without. Physical activity was calculated by MET scale (minutes/week). This index measured the amount of consumed energy at the time of activity relative to that consumed at resting time. Conclusions: A healthier and more favorable nutrition style and more regular physical activity reduces the severity of dysmenorrhea in girls. Therefore, educational measures are required to raise awareness among young women about the effects of proper nutrition and physical activity on the prevention and reduction of dysmenorrhea complications.