Body size and fatness in young adults in relation to age at menarche

Abstract

The relationships among age at menarche, body size, and body composition were considered in university students surveyed in 1970 (n = 342) and 1987 (n = 109). Recalled ages at menarche, stature, weight, and the triceps skinfold thickness were measured. Subjects ranged in age from 17.5 to 22.5 years in both surveys and were divided into four categories by age at menarche: before 12 years, 12.0 through 12.99 years, 13.0 through 13.99 years, and older than 14 years. In both the 1970 and 1987 surveys, later maturers had significantly more linear physiques than those experiencing menarche earlier. Late maturers also showed a tendency to lower values for the body mass index (BMI) and triceps skinfold compared with early maturers. Comparative data for women of the same age from the Fels Longitudinal Study (n = 234) showed similar findings. Women who reached menarche at ages older than 14 years were significantly taller than women with menarcheal ages less than 13 years. Women with menarcheal ages younger than 12 years were significantly heavier and had higher BMIs than those from any older menarcheal category. They also had significantly thicker triceps skinfolds than those with menarcheal ages older than 14 years. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Longitudinal changes in risk variables underlying metabolic Syndrome X from childhood to young adulthood in female subjects with a history of early menarche: The Bogalusa Heart Study

“…[2][3][4][5][6][7][8]10 However, it is not clear whether it is in accordance with the concept that a threshold level of fatness is required for triggering early menarche. 10 Nonetheless, the accumulation of body fat already seen at 5-7 y of age among the study cohort with early menarche suggested that body fatness, concurrent neuroendocrine hormonal changes, and early onset of menarche are somehow linked.…”

“…1,2 Early menarche, an indicator of rapid biological maturation, is invariably associated with increased body fatness, [2][3][4][5][6][7][8] although there seems to be no threshold level of fatness required for the onset of menarche, 9 as previously envisioned. 10 Further, a link between body fatness and the hormonal changes that lead to the onset of menarche has been implicated.…”

Maturational timing and overweight prevalence in US adolescent girls

“…Several large retrospective studies have shown that among female young adults, those who experienced menarche before 12 years of age are heavier and fatter than late-maturing girls. 2,3 Size differences attributed to early menarche have been shown to persist into later adulthood and to be accentuated with age. Longitudinal studies conducted in the United States 4 and the Netherlands 5,6 show a strong relation of early maturation to increased body mass index (BMI) and body fat.…”

“…[19][20][21][22][23] Girls were categorized as maturing early, average, or late on the basis of their age at menarche (younger than 11 years, 11-13 years, 14 years or older). 2,3 Premenarcheal girls (n=212) were classified as late maturing if their current age was 14 years or greater (n=162) or if they were aged 13 years but rated themselves as less mature than their peers (n=48). Premenarcheal girls aged 13 years who self-rated as more mature than their peers were classified as average in terms of their maturation (n=2).…”

Body structure and maturation – the association with environmental factors

“…Later maturers had significantly more linear physiques than those experiencing menarche earlier. Late maturers also showed a tendency to lower values for the body mass index (BMI) and tri-ceps skinfold (Wellens et al 1992). The earlier occurrence of menarche might also be associated with the negative impact of environmental factors which include stress.…”