Association of early menarche with elevated BMI, lower body height and relative leg length among 14- to 16-year-old post-menarcheal girls from a Maya community in Yucatan, Mexico

Abstract

Human body segments have different timing and tempo of growth. Early menarche (EM) as an indicator of early reproductive maturity results in a shortened height and leg length. Relatively larger trunk may increase risk for more body fat deposit and higher body mass index (BMI) due to the allometry of total body fat with body proportions. The objective of the study was to assess the association of EM with BMI, absolute body size [height, sitting height (SH), subischial leg length (SLL)] and relative body dimensions [sitting height to subischial leg length ratio (SHSLLR), relative subischial leg length (RSLL)] among 14- to 16-year-old post-menarcheal girls from a rural Maya community in Quintana Roo, Yucatan, Mexico. In a cross-sectional study, post-menarcheal girls (n=51) aged 14 to 16 years had EM (n=22) (<12 years of age) and not early menarche (NEM, n=29). Anthropometric measurements of height, weight, and SH were recorded. Derived variables were BMI, height and BMI-for-age z-scores, SLL, SHSLLR, and RSLL. Mean value of age at menarche (AM) was 13 years (EM 11 years, NEM 14 years). Mean values of height (EM 159 cm, NEM 164 cm), BMI (EM 20 kg/m2, NEM 19 kg/m2), sitting height (EM 81 cm, NEM 78 cm), SLL (EM 79 cm, NEM 85 cm), SHSLLR (EM 102.93%, NEM 92.03%), and RSLL (EM 49%, NEM 52%) were different (p<0.05) in the two groups. BMI showed significant negative correlation with AM (Pearson’s r=-0.29, p<0.04). Linear regression models adjusted for age showed that EM had different interrelationships (p<0.05) with body dimensions: positive with BMI, SH, SHSLLR, and negative with height, SLL, and RSLL. Earlier AM was associated with higher BMI, SH, SHSLLR and lower SLL, RSLL, explaining lower body height and leg length among the participant EM girls. In the light of life history theory, EM results in a growth trade-off, short stature and larger trunk relative to leg length that might enhance risk for body fat gain.

The association between age at menarche and anthropometric factors

“…In the present study, the girls who had experienced menarche at the age of under 12 years were taller in the studied sample than the average population, which was similar to the results of Kaplowitz (33) and Kim et al in Korea (34). These findings are inconsistent with those reported by Asrullah et al in Indonesia (19) and Banik in Mexico (20). The association has been explained by the earlier closure of epiphyseal growth disks because of the increase in ovarian estrogen, which is responsible for the elongation of the bones (19).…”

“…In the study in Indonesia, AAM was inversely correlated to BMI and weight but was not associated with height (19). In the other study in Mexico, it was observed that the girls with early AAM had a risk of a 4.09 cm lower height and 1.37 kg/m 2 higher BMI (20). In the study, in Bangladesh, the menarcheal girls were taller and heavier (21).…”

Growth in height and its association with overweight and obesity in Mexican children: an evaluation based on a nationally representative sample (ENSANUT 2018)

“…This association has been mentioned in several publications ( 46–51 ). However, Datta Banik ( 16 ) reported that higher adiposity and early maturity were also associated with short height. The author stated that earlier menarche results in a growth trade-off, leading to short stature, and that a bigger trunk relative to leg length, among girls, might increase the risk for body fat gain.…”

“…Overweight-obese children experience earlier APHV (from 1 to 3 years) and greater PHV compared to their peers who are lean ( 15 ). Childhood obesity is related to early puberty and menarche ( 16 ). Hypotheses suggest that adiposity, increased leptin, and sex hormones in obese children accelerate pubertal growth ( 11 , 13 ).…”