Growth patterns in early childhood and the onset of menarche before age twelve

Revista de Saúde Pública

Jeovany Martínez²  Cora Araújo¹  Bernardo Lessa Horta²  Denise Petrucci Gigante¹ 

[1] ,Universidade Federal de Pelotas Faculdade de Medicina Pelotas RS ,Brasil

关键词: Menarche;    Puberty;    Child Development;    Adolescent Development;    Sexual Maturation;    Body Weights and Measures;    Risk Factors;    Cohort Studies;    Weight by age;    Height by Weight;    Height by Age;    Menarca;    Puberdade;    Desenvolvimento Infantil;    Desenvolvimento do Adolescente;    Maturidade Sexual;    Pesos e Medidas Corporais;    Fatores de Risco;    Estudos de Coortes;    Peso para Idade;    Peso para Altura;    Altura para Idade;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S0034-89102010000200004

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between growth patterns in early childhood and the onset of menarche before age 12. METHODS: The study included 2,083 women from a birth cohort study conducted in the city of Pelotas, Southern Brazil, starting in 1982. Anthropometric, behavioral, and pregnancy-related variables were collected through home interviews. Statistical analyses were performed using Pearson's chi-square and chi-square test for linear trends. A multivariable analysis was carried out using Poisson regression based on a hierarchical model. RESULTS: Mean age of menarche was 12.4 years old and the prevalence of menarche before age 12 was 24.3%. Higher weight-for-age, height-for-age, and weight-for-height z-scores at 19.4 and 43.1 months of age were associated with linear tendencies of increased prevalence and relative risks of the onset of menarche before age 12. Girls who experienced rapid growth in weight-for-age z-score from birth to 19.4 months of age and in weight-for-age or height-for-age z-scores from 19.4 to 43.1 months of age also showed higher risk of menarche before age 12. Higher risk was seen when rapid growth in weight-for-age z-score was seen during these age intervals and the highest risk was found among those in the first tertile of Williams' curve at birth. Rapid growth in weight-for-height z-score was not associated with menarche before age 12. CONCLUSIONS: Menarche is affected by nutritional status and growth patterns during early childhood. Preventing overweight and obesity during early childhood and keeping a "normal" growth pattern seem crucial for the prevention of health conditions during adulthood.

【 授权许可】

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