No abstract

No abstract

EM seems to be a risk factor for the development of obesity during adolescence. However, this vulnerability may start to be programmed before menarche as girls with precocious menarche were already fatter than their late-maturing peers at age 7 years.

The results indicate a marked sex difference in the incidence and reversal of obesity from late childhood to adolescence that is unfavourable to girls. Consideration of this difference might be important when designing programmes for the prevention and treatment of obesity focusing on this period.