Investigating the relationship between precocious puberty and obesity: a cross-sectional study in Shanghai, China

Abstract

ObjectivesObesity is reported to be closely relevant to early sexual development but the relationship between sexual precocity and obesity or central obesity is still inconsistent, especially in boys. We aimed to investigate the relationship between precocious puberty and obesity as well as central obesity.DesignA large population-based cross-sectional study using multistage, stratified cluster random sampling.SettingData from the Shanghai Children’s Health, Education and Lifestyle Evaluation (SCHEDULE) study in June 2014.Participants17 620 Chinese children aged 6–12 years.Primary and secondary outcome measuresObesity was defined by WHO Child Growth Standards. Central obesity was defined by sex-specific waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) cut-offs (WHtR ≥0.48 for boys, WHtR ≥0.46 for girls). Precocious puberty was identified by Tanner stage of breast, pubic hair and testicle development. A χ2 test was performed to compare rates. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the association between precocious puberty and general obesity and central obesity. Probit analysis was used for estimating the median age at entry into Tanner stage 2 or greater for breast, pubic hair and testicle development. Linear regression was utilised to compare the effects of WHtR and body mass index (BMI) on sex development indicators.Results25.98% and 38.58% of boys with precocious puberty were respectively accompanied by obesity (OR=2.15, 95% CI=1.31 to 3.50) or central obesity (OR=2.10, 95% CI=1.46 to 3.03); meanwhile, 13.86% and 29.42% of girls with precocious puberty were respectively accompanied by obesity (OR=9.00, 95% CI=5.60 to 14.46) or central obesity (OR=5.40, 95% CI=4.10 to 7.12). The median ages of breast, pubic hair and testicle development decreased with BMI increase and median ages of thelarche and testicular development rather than pubarche were earlier in children with central obesity.ConclusionsEarlier pubertal development was positively associated with obesity and central obesity in Chinese children.

The Association of Gut Microbiota With Idiopathic Central Precocious Puberty in Girls

“…Previous studies have found close associations between obesity and puberty (8). Body mass index (BMI) is positively related to the risk of precocious puberty (9), and a 1 kg gain in weight is believed to cause a 13 day advancement of menarchal age (10). Moreover, GM dysbiosis has been reported in patients with obesity, with an increase in Firmicutes and a reduction in Bacteroidetes, and an improved ability of GM to utilize energy in those with obesity (11).…”

Longitudinal follow-up to near final height of auxological changes in girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog and grouped by pretreatment body mass index level

“…The other, from the Spanish registry, showed continuously increasing trend in BMISDS during and after GnRHa therapy and until final height [ 8 ]. Generally, girls with CPP are reported to have above average BMI before GnRHa treatment [ 9 ], and their early pubertal development is positively associated with obesity [ 10 , 11 ]. Recently, some researchers reported that BMI changes differently during GnRHa therapy according to the subjects' pretreatment BMI level [ 12 , 13 ].…”

Typology and Etiology of Precocious Puberty in Sub-Saharan Africa: Report of 8 Cases in Abidjan, Ivory Coast a

“…In family ICPP there is central obesity as reported by Chen in China especially in women (38.9%) [10]. Hypothalamic hamartoma is an uncommon cause of central precocious but has a significant importance [11] [12] and is often revealed by an epileptic seizure; we found one case with gelastic epilepsy and delayed psychological development.…”