Aline Jelenkovic1,2,3, Esther Rebato1. 1. a Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology , University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU , Spain . 2. b IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science , Spain , and. 3. c Department of Public Health , Hjelt Institute, University of Helsinki , Finland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Earlier menarche has been related to shorter height and greater obesity-related anthropometric dimensions and blood pressure in women. Boys and girls with earlier maternal menarcheal age (MMA) have shown greater height and body mass index (BMI) in childhood. AIM: To analyse associations of menarcheal age with their own and their children's anthropometric dimensions and blood pressure. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 493 women and their children (aged 2-19 years) from Greater Bilbao (Basque Country, Spain). For both generations there is information on 19 anthropometric dimensions, blood pressure and socio-demographic characteristics. Linear regressions adjusted for different covariates were used to analyse the associations. RESULTS: Menarcheal age in women showed the greatest positive associations with iliospinal height and ectomorphy and negative associations with BMI, sum of six skin-folds, endomorphy and mesomorphy. Boys with earlier MMA had greater body heights and breadths, particularly iliospinal height and biacromial breadth (0.10 z-score/year; p < 0.05). In girls, earlier MMA predicted greater sitting height, biepicondylar humerus breadth, weight and sum of four circumferences (0.07-0.09 z-score/year; p < 0.05). However, there was some evidence that MMA was positively associated with body heights, ectomorphy and blood pressure in girls aged ≥12. CONCLUSION: Children with earlier MMA tend to have greater anthropometric dimensions. Adolescent growth spurt might affect these relationships, at least in girls.
BACKGROUND: Earlier menarche has been related to shorter height and greater obesity-related anthropometric dimensions and blood pressure in women. Boys and girls with earlier maternal menarcheal age (MMA) have shown greater height and body mass index (BMI) in childhood. AIM: To analyse associations of menarcheal age with their own and their children's anthropometric dimensions and blood pressure. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 493 women and their children (aged 2-19 years) from Greater Bilbao (Basque Country, Spain). For both generations there is information on 19 anthropometric dimensions, blood pressure and socio-demographic characteristics. Linear regressions adjusted for different covariates were used to analyse the associations. RESULTS: Menarcheal age in women showed the greatest positive associations with iliospinal height and ectomorphy and negative associations with BMI, sum of six skin-folds, endomorphy and mesomorphy. Boys with earlier MMA had greater body heights and breadths, particularly iliospinal height and biacromial breadth (0.10 z-score/year; p < 0.05). In girls, earlier MMA predicted greater sitting height, biepicondylar humerus breadth, weight and sum of four circumferences (0.07-0.09 z-score/year; p < 0.05). However, there was some evidence that MMA was positively associated with body heights, ectomorphy and blood pressure in girls aged ≥12. CONCLUSION:Children with earlier MMA tend to have greater anthropometric dimensions. Adolescent growth spurt might affect these relationships, at least in girls.
Entities:
Keywords:
Age at menarche; adolescent growth spurt; body heights and breadths; obesity-related dimensions; sex differences