Assessment of Association between Body Mass Index with Menstrual Characteristics and Self Esteem among Nursing Students

Authors : Sema Polat, Emir İbrahim Işık, Sevban Arslan, Evşen Nazik

Pages : 27-34

Doi:10.17517/ksutfd.1448871

View : 35 | Download : 65

Publication Date : 2025-03-24

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objective: In recent years, the fact that increase in body mass index brings with it many health problems and many factors such as excessive stress, hormonal changes, obesity can cause menstrual irregularities. The study is aimed to evaluate the connection of menstrual cycle with body mass index (BMI), and self esteem level in nursing students. Material and Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted in Nursing department in to evaluate of the effect of the menstrual cycle length, duration of the menstrual period and periodic menstrual blood loss on BMI and self esteem in 416 nursing students. Additionally, weight, height, body mass index, and self esteem were calculated. Results: The mean age, height and weight of the students were 20.94±1.67years, 163.49±4.96cm and 57.21±8.91kg. The average of the BMI was 21.42±3.31kg/m2. The length of menstrual cycle results which was 21-35 days called as normal, was found in 346 subjects. In assessment of the duration of the menstrual period, 3-7 days accepted as normal was found in 307 nursing subjects. Also, the periodic menstrual blood loss was normal or moderate in 164 nursing subjects followed by mild (<15 pads; 149 subjects) and heavy (>20 pads; 103 subjects). According to these findings, there were found a significant difference between Body mass index, the duration of the menstrual period, the periodic menstrual blood loss and length of menstrual cycle. Additionally, the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale of Nursing Students was 22.16 (2.62) point. Conclusion: Body mass index values of nursing students showed as statistically significant correlation between menstrual cycle, duration and blood loss, while there was no significance on self esteem of BMI.
Keywords : Beden kitle indeksi, Rosenberg Benlik Saygısı, Menstrüel Özellikler