MENSTRUAL-CYCLE AND APPETITE CONTROL - IMPLICATIONS FOR WEIGHT REGULATION

Hormonal fluctuations associated with the menstrual cycle influence ap petite control and eating behaviour, Energy intake varies during the r eproductive cycle in humans and animals, with a periovulatory nadir an d a luteal phase peak, Patterns of macronutrient selection show less c onsistency but a number of studies report carbohydrate cravings in the premenstrual phase, particularly in women with premenstrual syndrome, The cyclical nature of food cravings are frequently, but not invariab ly, associated with depression, Fluctuations in appetite, cravings and energy intake during the menstrual cycle may occur in parallel with c yclical rhythms in serotonin, which can be accompanied by affective sy mptoms, The premenstrual phase can be considered as a time when women are especially vulnerable to overconsumption, food craving and depress ion; this is often associated with low serotonin activity.