Abstract
This paper reviews the literature on the variations in energy intake (EI), energy expenditure (EE) and the factors which may affect the fluctuations in EI across the menstrual cycle. While no significant changes in body weight and body fat percentage have been noted across the cycle, increases in EI and EE have been well documented during the luteal phase in lean women. The occurrence and severity of the premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and food reinforcement are suggested to affect EI. It is not known, however, whether food reinforcement may affect EI across the menstrual cycle. These factors may also affect overweight/obese women differently than normal-weight women at times during which women may be more prone to episodes of overeating during the menstrual cycle. Certain studies have also noted fluctuations in leptin levels across the menstrual cycle, while others have not. It has also been suggested that variations in leptin levels may affect the rewarding value of food in order to maintain proper body weight and adiposity level. We emphasize that future studies should evaluate the variations in energy balance across the cycle in overweight/obese women, as well as the strength of the relationships between food reinforcement and the severity of PMS with energy and macronutrient intakes.
Highlights
Variations in energy balance are explained by changes in energy intake (EI) and energy expenditure (EE), which can possibly lead to changes in energy stores and body weight over time [1]
If more severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms and greater food reinforcement occur during the luteal phase, it may be hypothesized that these factors may coincide with more frequent episodes of overeating and, greater total EI during this phase of the menstrual cycle
Women who suffer from PMS may be more prone to food cravings, as well as increased sweet-fatty food and total energy intakes, which may lead to potential weight gain over time
Summary
Variations in energy balance are explained by changes in energy intake (EI) and energy expenditure (EE), which can possibly lead to changes in energy stores and body weight over time [1]. Certain factors related to the menstrual cycle may in part explain the possible variations in EI and EE which may occur across the cycle. Among those are the occurrence and severity of the premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and possible changes in food reinforcement which may in part explain the possible variations in total EI and snack intake across the cycle. No study has evaluated the variations in EI, macronutrient intakes and EE across the menstrual cycle in overweight and obese women. The possible variations in energy balance, the occurrence and severity of PMS and food reinforcement across the cycle may differ between overweight/obese and lean women. The severity of PMS, as well as possible variations in reward driven behaviors and leptin across the cycle will be addressed, as it relates to differences in body adiposity
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
More From: European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.