title: Menstrual abnormalities in school going girls - are they related to dietary and exercise pattern?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Adolescence is the transitional phase of physical and mental development between childhood and adulthood and is characterized by immense hormonal changes.75% of girls experience some problems associated with menstruation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We tried to find out the prevalence of menstrual abnormalities in school going girls in Pondicherry and their association with dietary and exercise habits.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional questionnaire based study was conducted in adolescent girls who attained menarche in four secondary schools of Pondicherry, India.
  
  
  METHODS
  All students who attained menarche and willing to participate in the study were invited to answer the questionnaire, which dealt with anthropometric data, socioeconomic data, menstrual history, and diet and exercise pattern.
  
  
  METHODS
  Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test was used to compare the dietary and exercise patterns among students having menstrual abnormalities and those who do not have menstrual abnormalities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 853 students participated in the study. Dysmenorrhea and premenstrual symptoms were the most frequent problems encountered. Premenstrual symptoms were significantly more common among girls who were overweight, in girls who were eating junk food regularly, in girls who were eating less food (dieting) in order to lose weight and in those who were not doing regular physical activity. Dysmenorrhea was significantly more common in the girls who were dieting to lose weight. Passage of clots was also significantly high in the girls who were dieting.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lifestyle modifications like regular physical activity, decreasing the intake of junk food and promoting healthy eating habits should be emphasised in school health education programs to improve their menstrual health.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College , Pondicherry, India .
authors.forename: Rupa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vani K
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College , Pondicherry, India .
authors.forename: Veena
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: K S
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College , Pondicherry, India .
authors.forename: Subitha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: L
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College , Pondicherry, India .
authors.forename: Hemanth
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kumar V R
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College , Pondicherry, India .
authors.forename: Bupathy
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: A
keywords: Dieting; Exercise; Junk food; Menstrual abnormalities