Milk Intake and Total Dairy Consumption: Associations with Early Menarche in NHANES 1999-2004

Abstract

BackgroundSeveral components of dairy products have been linked to earlier menarche.Methods/FindingsThis study assessed whether positive associations exist between childhood milk consumption and age at menarche or the likelihood of early menarche (<12 yrs) in a U.S sample. Data derive from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999–2004. Two samples were utilized: 2657 women age 20–49 yrs and 1008 girls age 9–12 yrs. In regression analysis, a weak negative relationship was found between frequency of milk consumption at 5–12 yrs and age at menarche (daily milk intake β = −0.32, P<0.10; “sometimes/variable milk intake” β = −0.38, P<0.06, each compared to intake rarely/never). Cox regression yielded no greater risk of early menarche among those who drank milk “sometimes/varied” or daily vs. never/rarely (HR: 1.20, P<0.42, HR: 1.25, P<0.23, respectively). Among the 9–12 yr olds, Cox regression indicated that neither total dairy kcal, calcium and protein, nor daily milk intake in the past 30 days contributed to early menarche. Girls in the middle tertile of milk intake had a marginally lower risk of early menarche than those in the highest tertile (HR: 0.6, P<0.06). Those in the lowest tertiles of dairy fat intake had a greater risk of early menarche than those in the highest (HR: 1.5, P<0.05, HR: 1.6, P<0.07, lowest and middle tertile, respectively), while those with the lowest calcium intake had a lower risk of early menarche (HR: 0.6, P<0.05) than those in the highest tertile. These relationships remained after adjusting for overweight or overweight and height percentile; both increased the risk of earlier menarche. Blacks were more likely than Whites to reach menarche early (HR: 1.7, P<0.03), but not after controlling for overweight.ConclusionsThere is some evidence that greater milk intake is associated with an increased risk of early menarche, or a lower age at menarche.

Vitamin D deficiency and age at menarche: a prospective study

“…Confounding by other nutrients present in food sources of vitamin D, such as fortified milk, also seems improbable. Higher intakes of milk (23) and calcium (23,24) have each been related to earlier menarche; hence, these intakes could not explain an association of low vitamin D status with early menarche.…”

Nutritional Determinants of the Timing of Puberty

“…Similarly, in a prospective study of 134 Iranian girls, those with milk intake at ≥34 g per day at 9 years of age had higher odds of early menarche at or before age 12 years than did girls with milk intake at <34 g per day (78). Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, Wiley et al (93) found that higher milk consumption at ages 5-12 years among 2,057 girls from the United States was associated with an earlier age at menarche. In other studies, dairy intake has not been related to the onset of puberty (15).…”

“…Differences in the dietary assessment methods used may be another explanation. Assessment of intake with a single-day measure (e.g., 24-h recall) (53,78,93) may induce attenuation of the associations. Adjustment for body composition (7,61), a potential intermediate variable, could also impact the results.…”

Natural Hormones in Food-Producing Animals:Legal Measurements and Analytical Implications

“…Data published by Swan et al in 2007 already suggested that maternal beef consumption may alter males' testicular development in utero and adversely affect his adult reproductive capacity (Swan et al, 2007). Even milk consumption, the hormone content of which is well known, has been associated with an increased risk of early menarche (Wiley, 2011). There are studies that find a relationship between milk and dairy products with human illnesses, such as teenagers' acne, prostate, breast, ovarian and corpus uteri cancers, many chronic diseases that are common in Western societies, as well as male reproductive disorders (Adebamowo et al, 2008;Ganmaa et al, 2011;Ganmaa et al, 2001;Givens et al, 2008;Melnik, 2009;Wiley, 2011).…”

“…Even milk consumption, the hormone content of which is well known, has been associated with an increased risk of early menarche (Wiley, 2011). There are studies that find a relationship between milk and dairy products with human illnesses, such as teenagers' acne, prostate, breast, ovarian and corpus uteri cancers, many chronic diseases that are common in Western societies, as well as male reproductive disorders (Adebamowo et al, 2008;Ganmaa et al, 2011;Ganmaa et al, 2001;Givens et al, 2008;Melnik, 2009;Wiley, 2011). There are many possible contributory factors to these health problems, including steroid hormones which are well known as endocrine disruption agents.…”