Correlation between Body Mass Index and Age at Menarche

Abstract

Background: The decline of age at menarche has been reported in several countries, it occurred because of genetic, ethnic, and socioeconomic improvement in nutritional status and environment. The improvement of nutritional status has occurred globally all over the world including in Indonesia. One of the measuring tools in nutritional status is body mass index (BMI). The objective of the study was to assess the correlation between BMI and age at menarche. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among girls aged 9-15 years old in Jatinangor, from May-November 2013. The sample of this study was chosen with cluster random sampling. Age at menarche information was collected through a questionnaire. Body mass index was calculated from measurement of body weight and height. Data was analyzed using Spearman correlation test. Results: Out of three hundred and sixty nine subjects participating in this study, sixty seven were included in the inclusive criteria. According to the classification of BMI of underweight, normal, overweight, and obese, there were 1, 55, 8, and 3 persons, respectively. Mean of BMI was 19.04 and mean age at menarche was 12.72 years, which showed a non significant result (r=-0.013; p= 0.458). Conclusions: Age at menarche was not correlated with BMI. [AMJ.2015;2(4):

Relationship Between Menarche Age and Body Mass Index (IMT) Youth in Palembang City

“…research in Sumedang showed that there was no correlation between age at menarche and BMI. 22 The hypothesis of Frisch and McArthur states that there is a critical fat mass to trigger the first menstruation and more fat mass to maintain reproductive capacity, but this has not been proven in several studies. 23 The national survey conducted by Batubara et al also concluded that most Indonesian adolescents will experience menarche in the age range of 12-14 years (mean 12.96 years) if BMI is included in the 50 th percentile or more.…”

Hubungan usia menarche dengan Indeks Massa Tubuh (IMT) remaja di Kota Palembang

“…20,21 Sebaliknya, penelitian di Sumedang menunjukkan bahwa tidak ada korelasi antara usia menarche dan IMT. 22 Hipotesis Frisch dan McArthur menyatakan bahwa terdapat massa lemak kritis untuk memicu terjadinya menstruasi pertama dan massa lemak yang lebih untuk mempertahankan kapasitas reproduksi, namun hal ini belum terbukti pada beberapa penelitian. 23 Survei nasional yang dilakukan Batubara dkk juga menyimpulkan bahwa sebagian besar remaja Indonesia akan mengalami menarche pada rentang usia 12-14 tahun (rerata 12,96 tahun) jika IMT termasuk pada persentil ke-50 atau lebih.…”