Diet and Menarche in School Girls
Author Information
Author(s): Koprowski C, Ross R K, Mack W J, Henderson B E, Bernstein L
Primary Institution: Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Southern California
Hypothesis
What factors predict the age at menarche in a multiethnic cohort of school girls?
Conclusion
Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Island, and African-American girls are more likely to experience early menarche, while high energy intake is associated with a delay in menarche.
Supporting Evidence
- Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Island, and African-American girls were more likely to experience early menarche than non-Hispanic white girls.
- Tall girls experienced earlier menarche compared to shorter girls.
- High body mass index was associated with earlier menarche.
- High energy intake was linked to a delay in menarche.
Takeaway
The study looked at school girls to see what affects when they start their periods. It found that some girls start earlier than others based on their background and how much they eat.
Methodology
The study followed 1378 girls for 4 years, measuring height, weight, and dietary intake to assess factors predicting age at menarche.
Limitations
The findings regarding dietary intake were limited to a subset of heavy Hispanic girls who may have underreported their intake.
Participant Demographics
Southern California school girls aged 8–13 years, multiethnic including Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Island, African-American, and non-Hispanic white.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI 2.1–4.1 for height; 95% CI 1.7–2.9 for body mass index; 95% CI 0.5–0.9 for energy intake.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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