J Nutr Health.  2015 Aug;48(4):344-351. 10.4163/jnh.2015.48.4.344.

Determinants of age at menarche in Korean elementary school girls

• Kwon MK
• Seo EM
• Park K

• KMID: 2209901
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4163/jnh.2015.48.4.344

Abstract

PURPOSE
During the recent decades, the age at menarche continued to decline in Korea and worldwide. Prior studies have suggested that early menarche may increase the risk of various social, psychological, and physical health problems in young adolescent girls, but little is known about the determinants associated with early menarche. The purpose of this study is to evaluate independent determinants of early menarche among 5th~6th female graders in South Korea.
METHODS
Our analysis was conducted in 95 menarcheal girls and 95 age-matched pre-menarcheal girls residing in Daegu, South Korea. Demographic and lifestyle characteristics were collected using survey questionnaires for children and parents. Dietary information was assessed by 2 day~24 hour food records and survey questionnaires, which were completed by both children and their parents. Anthropometric data were obtained from the student health check-ups at the school.
RESULTS
A multiple logistic regression analysis using a conditional likelihood method was performed for simultaneous evaluation of several risk factors. There were significant differences in that higher proportion of obesity (OR, odds ratio = 5.60, 95% CI, confidence interval = 1.34~23.42), shorter sleep duration (OR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.23~0.87), and younger mother's age at menarche (OR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.44~0.93) were observed in the menarcheal group compared to the premenarcheal group.
CONCLUSION
These findings indicate a possible association of sleep duration, mother's menarcheal age, and obesity with age at menarche. A well-planned, prospective cohort study is warranted to examine causal relationship.

Keyword

age at menarche; puberty; growth; obesity; determinants

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Child
Cohort Studies
Daegu
Female
Female*
Humans
Korea
Life Style
Logistic Models
Menarche*
Obesity
Odds Ratio
Parents
Prospective Studies
Puberty
Risk Factors

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Mean frequency of consumption of protein-rich foods consumed by menarcheal group and premenarcheal group. The differences between menarcheal group and premenarcheal group were tested by paired t-test, and error bars represent 95% confidence intervals. ∗∗p < 0.01, significantly different from control. “Yogurt and cheese” included liquid, curd and beverage types of yogurts and processed cheese. “Meat” included beef, pork, chicken, and processed meat. “Fish” included all types of fish, shrimp, crab, and common squid.

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