Association of Anthropometric Indices with Menstrual Abnormality among Nursing Students of Nepal: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction. Obesity has been reported to be linked with menstrual abnormalities including abnormality in cycle length, duration, and period blood loss. However, which anthropometric parameter is a better marker of menstrual abnormality is yet unknown. This study aims to explore the association of BMI, waist-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-height ratio (WHtR) with menstrual abnormalities. Methods. This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 240 nursing students on two nursing campuses of Nepal. Demographic and menstrual characteristics related data were collected from the participants via the face-to-face interview technique followed by anthropometric measurements. Binary logistic regression was used to study the association of BMI, WHR, and WHtR with menstrual characteristics. Univariable and multivariable regression models were calculated at 95% confidence interval and a P value of 0.05 using a Statistical Package for Social Sciences, IBM SPSS® v21 (IBM, Armonk, New York). Results. Out of 240 participants, 52 participants (21.67%) were underweight (<18.5 kg/m2), and 47 participants (19.58%) were either overweight (≥23 kg/m2) or obese (≥25 kg/m2). Overweight and obese BMI was associated with abnormality in menstrual cycle length (AOR = 4.24; 95% CI = 1.77–10.17), duration of the menstrual period (AOR = 2.52; 95% CI = 1.09–5.81), and periodic menstrual blood loss (AOR = 9.04; 95% CI = 3.55–23.01). Increase in WHtR (>0.5) was associated with abnormal cycle length (AOR = 3.09; 95% CI = 1.09–8.80) and abnormal period duration (AOR = 3.05; 95% CI = 1.10–8.44). An increase in WHR (>0.8) was associated with abnormal cyclical menstrual blood loss (AOR = 4.93; 95% CI = 1.55–15.71). Conclusions. Obesity predisposes to menstrual irregularities. BMI is a better predictor of menstrual irregularity as the increase in BMI is associated with abnormality in menstrual cycle length, period duration, and blood loss. Increased WHR was associated with periodic blood loss only. Increased WHtR was associated with abnormal cycle length and period duration, but not menstrual blood loss.

Influence of lifestyle factors with the outcome of menstrual disorders among adolescents and young women in West Bengal, India

“…A higher waist and hip circumference were observed among the PCOS females than their non-PCOS females, WHr appeared to be significantly higher among the PCOS group 18 . Increased WHr was associated with periodic blood loss only whereas increased Waist-to-height ratio was associated with abnormal cycle length and period duration, but not menstrual blood loss 25 . In our study, both BMI and WHr were significantly high among individuals with the menstrual disorder than those without the disorder.…”

“…It has been found that women with PCOS had a higher BMI than control women 13 , 18 . Other findings revealed that a proportion of women with menstrual disorders have significantly higher BMI (overweight and obese) than normal women 10 and the increase in BMI is associated with abnormality in menstrual cycle length, period duration, and blood loss 25 . Contrasting to this, malnutrition due to the eating disorder may often be associated with Oligo/Amenorrhea among adolescents and young women 26 .…”

Evaluation of the Association Between Carrying Angle, Hand Grip Strength, Lateral Pinch Strength, and Hand Functional Index in Nursing Students

“…Body weight was measured with a digital scale of 0.1 kg calibrate with precision (Amgain et al, 2022).…”