Impact of Body Mass Index on Pubertal Development
Mary Perry Alexander
Takara Stanley
Thelarche, Pubarche, and Menarche Attainment in Children With Normal and Elevated Body Mass Index
Rosenfield RL, Lipton RB, Drum ML. Pediatrics. 2009;123(1):84–88
Background
The normal timing of puberty among US children has been debated. Prior studies noted differences in puberty onset based on ethnicity and obesity, but these studies had methodologic limitations and were not sufficiently conclusive to modify definitions of early puberty (before age 8 in girls or age 9 in boys). This study was designed to measure timing of key pubertal milestones and examine the association with elevated body mass index (BMI).
Objectives
To determine the age of key pubertal milestones in US girls with normal BMI versus those with BMI ≥85th percentile, and assess the age of pubarche in US boys.
Methods
Retrospective analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III data (a large study that randomly surveyed the US population on health-related issues) from 1988 to 1994.
