Menstrual cycle, body image, and eating disturbance

Sixty females (ages 17–25) were blocked into four groups on the basis of contraceptive use (pill, non-pill) and level of menstrual distress (high, low). All subjects were tested for levels of body image and eating disturbance during three phases of the menstrual cycle: menstrual, intermenstrual, premenstrual. High menstrual distress subjects had greater body image and eating disturbance than low distress subjects. There was marginal evidence that body image disturbance for the high menstrual distress subjects was greater perimenstrually (premenstrual plus menstrual). There was also suggestive evidence that subjects overestimated the size of the waist greater perimenstrually. The findings are discussed with regard to etiological mechanisms, methodological issues, and treatment implications.