Association between Eating Disorders, Academic Stress with Menstrual Dysfunction among College Female Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract

Background: Academic stress and disordered eating behaviors are emerging as significant health concerns among female students in health-related fields, potentially leading to menstrual dysfunction. Physiotherapy students may be particularly vulnerable owing to the combination of academic, physical, and clinical demands. However, data on this triad in the context of Indian physiotherapy students remain limited.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 216 full-time female physiotherapy students (aged 18-28 years) at NIMS University, Rajasthan. A self-administered questionnaire comprising demographic information, the Eating Attitudes Test-26, a menstrual dysfunction checklist, and the Perceived Stress Scale was completed by the participants. Statistical analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics version 22 (IBM Co.), and the chi-square test was used to examine associations between variables.

Results: Of the participants, 68.83% showed symptoms of eating disorders, 96.74% experienced moderate academic stress, and 35.81% reported irregular menstrual cycles. The findings indicated a significant association between academic stress and menstrual dysfunction (χ² = 11.59, p < 0.005) and between eating disorders and menstrual dysfunction (χ² = 106.47, p < 0.005). However, the study found no significant difference between undergraduate and postgraduate students, possibly due to the small sample size of postgraduate students (n = 8).

Conclusion: The findings highlight a strong interrelationship between academic stress, disordered eating, and menstrual irregularities among female physiotherapy students. Early identification, stress management, and the implementation of integrated wellness programs within academic institutions can help safeguard the physical and mental well-being of future healthcare professionals.