Obesity accelerates secondary sexual maturity in girls

  • Meirina Sari Department of Child Health, Gadjah Mada University Medical School/Dr. Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta
  • Endy Paryanto Prawirohartono Department of Child Health, Gadjah Mada University Medical School/Dr. Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta
  • Madarina Julia Department of Child Health, Gadjah Mada University Medical School/Dr. Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14238/pi52.4.2012.213-8
Keywords: obesity, girls, secondary sexual maturity, puberty

Abstract

Background Worldwide incidence of obesity in children is
increasing. Obesity may have many health effects including
advancement of sexual maturity.
Objective T he aim of this study was to assess the timing of
secondary sexual maturation in obese vs. nonô€„obese girls.
Methods Subjects were 105 obese and 105 nonô€„obese girls, aged
7 to 8 years who had not entered puberty. Breast and pubic hair
growth, secondary sexual characteristics, were assessed at baseline
and every 4 months for two years. Onset of puberty was defined as
Tanner stage for secondary sexual maturation of 2: breast Tanner
stage II (B2) and/or 2: pubic hair Tanner stage II (P2). Survival
analyses were used to estimate time to puberty in both groups.
Cox regressions were used to analyze possible factors affecting
secondary sexual maturation.
Results Mean onset of breast budding (B2) was 7.8 (95% CI 7.7
to 7.8) years in obese girls vs. 8.6 (95% CI 8.5 to 8.6) years in
nonô€„obese girls (P<O.OOl). Mean onset of pub arc he (P2) was 8.7
(95% CI 8.6 to 8.8) years in obese girls vs. 9.0 (95% CI 8.9 to 9.0)
years in nonô€„obese girls (P<O.OOl). Hazard ratios of obese girls
to experience an earlier secondary sexual maturation at maturity
level B2, B3 and P2 were 1.34 (95% CI 1.19 to 1.52), 6.91 (95%
CI 3.90 to 12.24) and 3.78 (95% CI 2.42 to 5.89), respectively.
Conclusions Obesity was associated with earlier onset of
puberty in girls. Obese girls entered puberty approximately 3 to
9 months earlier than their nonô€„obese peers. [Paediatr Indones.
2012;52:213-8].

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Published
2012-08-31
How to Cite
1.
Sari M, Prawirohartono E, Julia M. Obesity accelerates secondary sexual maturity in girls. PI [Internet]. 31Aug.2012 [cited 27Apr.2024];52(4):213-. Available from: https://paediatricaindonesiana.org/index.php/paediatrica-indonesiana/article/view/399
Issue
Vol 52 No 4 (2012): July 2012
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Received 2016-08-31
Accepted 2016-08-31
Published 2012-08-31