ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN MENSTRUAL CYCLE PHASE, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVEL AND DIETARY MACRONUTRIENT INTAKE

The study was aimed at determining possible association between physical activity level, energy and macronutrient intake, and phases of the menstrual cycle (MC): follicular (FP) and luteal (LP), Eumenorrheic women (n=23) were studied; 12 were classified as physically active (PA) and 11 as physically inactive (PIA). Food consumption and basal body temperature were recorded daily throughout one complete menstrual cycle. Relative energy intake was greater (P<0.05) in the PA than the PIA group (34.2 and 27.8 kcal/kg-body weight/day, respectively). Significantly (P<0.05) more carbohydrate (CHO) was consumed by both groups in FP (61.2%) vs. LP (57.5%), the PA group consuming significantly (P<0.05) more CHO than the PIA group (64.0 vs. 54.7%) across both phases. Within the PIA group, more (P<0.05) PRO was consumed in LP (16.3%) vs. FP (14.5%). More fat (P<0.05) was consumed by both groups in LP (28.2%) compared to FP (25.7%); although, the PIA group consumed more (P<0.05) fat than PA group (30.8 vs. 23.1%) across both phases. The results suggest that MC phase and physical activity level do influence the energy and macronutrient intake by young women.