Background: To examine the effect of early menarche (EM) on adolescent body composition and fat distribution, and to explore the possible contribution of birth weight (BW) to this relationship. Methods: From the cross-sectional AVENA study, 788 girls (aged 13–18.5 years) were selected. Post-menarcheal body composition was estimated by anthropometric methods. Results: BW Z-score was associated with age at menarche (β = 0.496, p < 0.001). EM (age of menarche <12 years) adolescents were shorter, had a higher body mass index (BMI), fat free mass index (FFMI), fat mass index (FMI) and waist circumference (all p < 0.01). BW was associated with height (p < 0.001), BMI Z-score (p < 0.01), FFMI (p < 0.01) and FMI (p < 0.05). These relationships did not change when the analysis was controlled for age of menarche. Height and FFM were lower in EM (p < 0.01), but these effects seem to be due to the BW (p < 0.01). Conclusion: EM was strongly associated with unhealthy body composition in female adolescents, but these relationships seem to be due to the programming effect of BW.

This content is only available via PDF.
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.