The menarcheal age of Chinese girls

The menarcheal age of Chinese girls was analysed based on a national survey in 1985. A total of 162,902 girls, aged 7–22 years, of Han nationality and 34,232 girls, aged 7–18, of 27 minority nationalities were sampled. Data were further subdivided into urban and rural areas. It was found that the curves of menstruating percentage in each of the subgroup were in long sigmoid shapes. The menstruating rate (MR) of Han girls was higher than that of the minority girls in almost every age group. The median menarcheal age (MMA) of Han girls was significantly lower than that of the minority girls. In Han nationality the urban girls showed higher MR and lower MMA than the rural girls. The influence of hereditary, cultural and economical factors on menarcheal age in Chinese girls is discussed. The data of this study were also compared with research reports from other world literature.     

The menarcheal age of Chinese girls.

The menarcheal age of Chinese girls was analysed based on a national survey in 1985. A total of 162,902 girls, aged 7-22 years, of Han nationality and 34,232 girls, aged 7-18, of 27 minority nationalities were sampled. Data were further subdivided into urban and rural areas. It was found that the curves of menstruating percentage in each of the subgroup were in long sigmoid shapes. The menstruating rate (MR) of Han girls was higher than that of the minority girls in almost every age group. The median menarcheal age (MMA) of Han girls was significantly lower than that of the minority girls. In Han nationality the urban girls showed higher MR and lower MMA than the rural girls. The influence of hereditary, cultural and economical factors on menarcheal age in Chinese girls is discussed. The data of this study were also compared with research reports from other world literature.     

Trend of Menarcheal Age among Korean Girls

BackgroundMenarcheal age has been decreasing worldwide. However, few recent studies have observed trends in menarcheal age in larger populations, and the cutoff age for early menarche remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to analyze recent trends of menarcheal age and to determine the cutoff age of early menarche based on nationally representative data.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study of 351,006 Korean girls aged 12–18 years who were born in 1988–2003 based on the data of the 2006–2015 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey. We identified the distribution of age at menarche using the complex sample Cox regression model. Trends in the prevalence of early menarche were determined using the complex sample linear model.ResultsNinety-five percent of all the participants reported they had experienced menarche. The mean menarcheal age was 13.0 years (95% confidence intervals [CIs], 12.92–13.04) for girls born in 1988 and decreased to 12.6 years (95% CI, 12.54–12.61) for girls born in 2003. The cutoff age (the 3rd percentile value) for early menarche was 10.5 years during the study period. The prevalence of early menarche significantly increased from 1.8% in 2006 to 3.2% in 2015 (P-for-trend < 0.001). Downward trends of menarcheal age were noted across all body mass index groups, and this trend was most prominent in the obese group.ConclusionWe reported an ongoing downward trend in menarcheal age in Korean girls born in 1988–2003, decreasing by 0.4 years over the 15 years.     

Changes in menarcheal age in girls exposed to war conditions

The purpose of this study was to assess changes in mean menarcheal age of girls in the city of Šibenik in the period from mid-1980s to the mid-1990s. Šibenik is a Dalmatian town which was exposed to hard war conditions in 1991–1995. Menarcheal status of Šibenik girls was surveyed three times, in 1981, 1985, and 1996, and included 720, 1,207, and 1,680 girls, respectively, ages 9.5–16.5 years. Mean menarcheal age was estimated by the status quo method and application of probit analysis. Results show a slight decrease in menarcheal age from 1981 to 1985 (from 12.97 ± 0.06 years to 12.87 ± 0.05), and then a significant increase from 12.87 ± 0.05 years in 1985 to 13.13 ± 0.10 years in 1996. The increase in mean menarcheal age occurred in all socioeconomic groups based on parental occupation and number of siblings. In the group of girls whose homes were damaged during war, menarche occurred at an average of 13.53 ± 0.14 years, while those who lost a family member experienced menarche at an older mean age, 13.76 ± 0.27 years. However, when the girls who experienced personal tragedies were excluded the onset of menarche was still later than in girls surveyed in the earlier periods. The results suggest that the general reversal in the secular trend of menarcheal age in Šibenik girls can be attributed to persistent psychological pressures and uncertainties associated with conditions of war. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 12:503–508, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Application of alternative anthropometric measurements to predict metabolic syndrome

OBJECTIVE:

The association between rarely used anthropometric measurements (e.g., mid-upper arm, forearm, and calf circumference) and metabolic syndrome has not been proven. The aim of this study was to assess whether mid-upper arm, forearm, calf, and waist circumferences, as well as waist/height ratio and waist-to-hip ratio, were associated with metabolic syndrome.

METHODS:

We enrolled 387 subjects (340 women, 47 men) who were admitted to the obesity outpatient department of Istanbul Medeniyet University Goztepe Training and Research Hospital between September 2010 and December 2010. The following measurements were recorded: waist circumference, hip circumference, waist/height ratio, waist-to-hip ratio, mid-upper arm circumference, forearm circumference, calf circumference, and body composition. Fasting blood samples were collected to measure plasma glucose, lipids, uric acid, insulin, and HbA1c.

RESULTS:

The odds ratios for visceral fat (measured via bioelectric impedance), hip circumference, forearm circumference, and waist circumference/hip circumference were 2.19 (95% CI, 1.30-3.71), 1.89 (95% CI, 1.07-3.35), 2.47 (95% CI, 1.24-4.95), and 2.11(95% CI, 1.26-3.53), respectively. The bioelectric impedance-measured body fat percentage correlated with waist circumference only in subjects without metabolic syndrome; the body fat percentage was negatively correlated with waist circumference/hip circumference in the metabolic syndrome group. All measurements except for forearm circumference were equally well correlated with the bioelectric impedance-measured body fat percentages in both groups. Hip circumference was moderately correlated with bioelectric impedance-measured visceral fat in subjects without metabolic syndrome. Muscle mass (measured via bioelectric impedance) was weakly correlated with waist and forearm circumference in subjects with metabolic syndrome and with calf circumference in subjects without metabolic syndrome.

CONCLUSION:

Waist circumference was not linked to metabolic syndrome in obese and overweight subjects; however, forearm circumference, an unconventional but simple and appropriate anthropometric index, was associated with metabolic syndrome and bioelectric impedance-measured visceral fat, hip circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio.     

Development of anthropometry-based equations for the estimation of the total body water in Koreans

For developing race-specific anthropometry-based total body water (TBW) equations, we measured TBW using bioelectrical impedance analysis (TBW(BIA)) in 2,943 healthy Korean adults. Among them, 2,223 were used as a reference group. Two equations (TBW(K1) and TBW(K2)) were developed based on age, sex, height, and body weight. The adjusted R2 was 0.908 for TBW(K1) and 0.910 for TBW(K2). The remaining 720 subjects were used for the validation of our results. Watson (TBW(W)) and Hume-Weyers (TBW(H)) formulas were also used. In men, TBW(BIA) showed the highest correlation with TBW(H), followed by TBW(K1), TBW(K2) and TBW(W). TBW(K1) and TBW(K2) showed the lower root mean square errors (RMSE) and mean prediction errors (ME) than TBW(W) and TBW(H). On the Bland-Altman plot, the correlations between the differences and means were smaller for TBW(K2) than for TBW(K1). On the contrary, TBW(BIA) showed the highest correlation with TBW(W), followed by TBW(K2), TBW(K1), and TBW(H) in females. RMSE was smallest in TBW(W), followed by TBW(K2), TBW(K1) and TBW(H). ME was closest to zero for TBW(K2), followed by TBW(K1), TBW(W) and TBW(H). The correlation coefficients between the means and differences were highest in TBW(W), and lowest in TBW(K2). In conclusion, TBW(K2) provides better accuracy with a smaller bias than the TBW(W) or TBW(H) in males. TBW(K2) shows a similar accuracy, but with a smaller bias than TBW(W) in females.     

月经初潮年龄对壮族女大学生体型分布的影响

目的　探讨月经初潮年龄对女大学生体型分布的影响。方法　对 10 3名 2 0岁壮族女大学生的月经初潮年龄进行调查研究 ,并作Heath Carter体型分析。结果　得出 4个不同月经初潮年龄组的体型均值和 10 3名 2 0名壮族女大学生的体型均值 ,表明均为三胚中间型体型。结论　壮族女大学生的体型不受月经初潮年龄的影响。     

Height, weight and menarcheal age of adolescent girls in Oman

A cross-sectional survey was carried out on 683 school girls aged 11.5-18.5 years in Oman, in order to assess their physical growth. Height, weight and age at menarche were measured. Results showed that median height and weight of Omani girls fluctuates between 25th and 5th percentiles and 25th and 10th percentiles of the North American reference standard (NCHS), respectively. The mean age at menarche was 13.3 +/- 0.09 years. In general Omani girls are shorter and lighter than girls of similar age in other Arabian Gulf countries (Bahrain and Kuwait).     

Body composition of high altitude natives on descent to the plains: A densitometric,hydrometric, and anthropometric evaluation

Summary Body density was experimentally determined at a field location at 3,920 m on 32 medically fit and active high altitude native males using a water displacement technique. Stature, body weight and the bony widths at the elbow, wrist, knee, and ankles; and thickness of skin folds at eight sites were measured. Based on body density and bony widths, body fat, total body water (TBW), mineral mass and total cell solids (TCS) were calculated.Similar measurements were made on another group of 16 high altitude natives after one months stay in Dehli (200 m). TBW of 11 of these subjects was experimentally determined by the oral administration of 200 Ci of tritiated water. This group of subjects was physically less active in Delhi. At high altitude the natives consumed a balanced diet which provided 20.21 MJ, but in the plains the diet provided only 15.69 MJ though it was nutritionally balanced.In spite of the reduced calorie intake this group showed greater fat content in Delhi than the group located at high altitude. These men were also hyperhydrated. Hyperhydration of the lean body could be an adaptive response of the high altitude natives to the new environment. Due to the disturbed state of hydration of the lean body of these men in the plains, use of Siri's formula for the computation of total body fat is questioned.     

Association of BRCA1/2 mutations with FMR1 genotypes: Effects on menarcheal and menopausal age

Objective

Female BRCA (breast cancer gene)-1 and BRCA-2 mutations are significantly associated with risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers, in turn, associated with female infertility. BRCA-1 mutations have also been associated with occult primary ovarian insufficiency (OPOI), as have different mutations of the FMR1 gene. We, therefore, hypothesized that FMR1 genotypes may be associated with menarcheal and menopausal ages of BRCA mutation carriers.

Patients

We compared the FMR1 genotype and sub-genotype distribution in 99 BRCA1/2 positive women and in 182 healthy women without a known history of familial breast and ovarian cancer and searched for associations with age at menarche and menopause. T-test was used to assess differences in menarcheal and menopause ages, with times of menarche and menopause as continuous variables.

Results

Women with BRCA1/2 mutations showed significantly different FMR1 genotype and sub-genotype distributions when compared with the control group (p < 0.001). This result remained stable in a sub-group analysis of Caucasian BRCA1/2 carriers and healthy controls (p < 0.001). In addition, BRCA1/2 carriers indicated a trend toward shorter reproductive lifespan (p = 0.18).

Conclusions

Our data confirm the previously reported highly skewed distribution of FMR1 genotypes and sub-genotypes toward a high preponderance of low FMR1 alleles in BRCA1/2 carriers. We could demonstrate that BRCA-1 mutations are associated with an earlier onset of menopause compared to BRCA-2 carriers, although the distribution of the het-norm/low genotype is similar in both groups. Our findings suggest that there may be other factors beside the genotype that has an influence on menarche and especially menopause age in BRCA mutation carriers.     

Association of maternal menarcheal age with anthropometric dimensions and blood pressure in children from Greater Bilbao

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.     

The effect of menarcheal age on anthropometric,limb length,and bone measures in Hutterite and non‐Hutterite women

The age women reach menarche may affect bone length and mass. Some studies show an earlier menarcheal age (MA) results in a shorter stature and increased body fat. We hypothesized that Hutterite women have a shorter height and limb length, but greater bone mass and areal bone mineral density (aBMD) than non‐Hutterites. Results are from a secondary analysis of 344 (198 Hutterite) healthy, pre‐menopausal women aged 20?40 years who participated in the South Dakota Rural Bone Health Study. Bone measures were obtained by DXA (spine, hip and total body) and pQCT (4 and 20% distal radius). MA correlated with year of birth (r = ?0.10, P = 0.08) indicating a trend toward a younger MA for women born in more recent years. MA was inversely associated with current weight (r = ?0.11, P < 0.05), percent body fat (r = ?0.16, P < 0.01), femoral neck BMC (r = ?0.18, P = 0.003), femoral neck aBMD (r = ?0.21, P < 0.001), hip aBMD (r = ?0.22, P < 0.001) and trabecular volumetric BMD (vBMD) (r = ?0.14, P = 0.03). Hutterite women had a younger MA than non‐Hutterite women (12.3 ± 1.3 vs. 13.0 ± 1.3 yr, P < 0.001). In final regression models controlling for diet and activity patterns, Hutterite compared to non‐Hutterite women had shorter standing height (162 ± 0.4 vs. 166 ± 0.4 cm, P < 0.001), forearm length (258 ± 0.8 vs. 261 ± 0.9 mm, P = 0.04); and leg length (76 ± 0.2 vs. 77 ± 0.3 cm, P < 0.01) as hypothesized, but MA did not predict these outcomes. In conclusion, younger MA in Hutterite women did not explain their shorter standing height and limb lengths, but total hip aBMD was inversely associated with MA and greater in Hutterite than non‐Hutterite women. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Body mass index and waist circumference according to glucose tolerance status in Korea: the 2005 Korean Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

The purpose of this study was to investigate the stage of glucose intolerance in which persons showed a maximum obesity in Korea. A total of 4,479 participants, who were involved in the 2005 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, was examined. The participants were divided into 5 groups by fasting plasma glucose (FPG); normal fasting glucose (NFG)1, FPG < 90 mg/dL; NFG2, FPG 90-99 mg/dL; impaired fasting glucose (IFG)1, FPG 100-109 mg/dL; IFG2, FPG 110-125 mg/dL; and diabetes mellitus, FPG ≥ 126 mg/dL or with anti-diabetes drugs. In those with FPG < 110 mg/dL, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were increased with increase of FPG (BMI in men; NFG1, 23.3 ± 0.1; NFG2, 24.4 ± 0.1; IFG1, 25.0 ± 0.2 kg/m(2), in women; NFG1, 23.0 ± 0.1; NFG2, 24.0 ± 0.1; IFG1, 24.8 ± 0.2 kg/m(2), WC in men; NFG1, 82.1 ± 0.3; NFG2, 85.3 ± 0.3; IFG1, 86.7 ± 0.5 cm, in women; NFG1, 77.1 ± 0.2; NFG2, 79.4 ± 0.3; IFG1, 81.8 ± 0.6 cm). In IFG2 and diabetes range, there was no more increase of BMI and WC with increase of FPG in each sex. The data suggest that degree of obesity increases with an increase of FPG in range of FPG < 100 mg/dL, peaked in FPG of 100-109 mg/dL, and then plateaus in higher FPG range in general Korean population.     

Optimal treatment of replicate measurements in anthropometric studies

Background: Anthropometric studies often include replicates of each measurement to decrease error. The optimal method to combine these measurements is uncertain.

Aim: To identify the optimal method to combine replicate measures for analysis.

Methods: The authors carried out 10?000 Monte Carlo simulations to explore the effect of six approaches to combine replicate measurements in a hypothetical two-group intervention study (n?=?100 per arm) in which the outcome, infant length at age 1 year, was measured two or three times. One group had a true value with a normal distribution N (mean?=?76, SD?=?2.4?cm). Statistical power was estimated to detect a 1?cm difference between the groups, based on a t-test.

Results: Under a realistic scenario with a measurement error distribution N (0, 0.8), highest power was reached by use of the mean and the median of pairwise averages. However, when a portion of the data (≥2%) were contaminated by greater error (e.g. due to data entry), the median of three measurements outperformed all other methods while the mean had the lowest performance.

Conclusion: Obtaining three rather than two measures and using the median of the three replicates is a safe and robust approach to combine participants’ raw data values for use in subsequent analyses.     

Body mass index and C-reactive protein in the healthy Korean aged men

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) and body mass index (BMI) in elderly Korean men. A review of routine health examination records were done. Out of 671 eligible elderly men, who had their routine health examination in 2001 at a Health Promotion Center of a university hospital, 367 subjects were included after excluding inflammatory conditions. Subgroup analyses were performed on those who did not smoke and exercised regularly. Body composition, blood pressure, blood samples and radiologic examinations including chest radiography and abdominal ultrasound were obtained from each subject. Age, BMI, current smoking, regular exercise, WBC count, HDL-cholesterol, gamma glutamyl transferase were independently associated with logCRP. BMI subgroups according to the Asia-Pacific guideline did not show any difference in CRP level from each other by ANCOVA (p>0.05). However, BMI groups subdivided according to our criteria showed an association with CRP; the CRP level was lowest in the group of BMI between 18.5-19.4 and showed significant difference from BMI group of the highest BMI group (>or=29.0). Since elevated CRP levels are associated with higher risk for cardiovascular disease, lower BMI (18.5-19.4) levels may be advised for healthy elderly men in Korea.     

The relative body fat and anthropometric prediction of body density of South Australian females aged 17—35 years

Summary One hundred and thirty-five females were tested in order to: produce some normative percentage body fat (% BF) data on an Australian sample which represented a cross-section of physical activity patterns, cross-validate existing multiple regression equations which predict body density (BD) from anthropometric measurements, and if necessary develop population specific equations.Measurements were taken of 10 girths, 3 widths and 7 skinfolds. Body density was measured by underwater weighing with the residual volume (RV) being determined by helium dilution. The Siri equation was then used to convert BD to % BF. The % BF scores had an overall mean of 23.4 (range 10.8–49.2). The very active group (n=45) had a significantly lower (p<0.05) relative body fat (X=20.6% BF) than either the active (n=45; 23.5% BF) or sedentary groups (n=45; 26.2% BF). Previously published equations were found to have limited applicability to Australian subjects. A stepwise multiple regression was therefore used to develop the following equation (R = 0.893): BD(g·cm^–3) = 1.16957-0.06447 (log₁₀ triceps, subscapular, supraspinale, front thigh, abdominal and calf skinfolds in mm)-0.00081 (gluteal girth in cm)+ 0.0017 (forearm girth in cm) + 0.00606 (biepicondylar humerus breadth in cm). Only those predictors which resulted in a statistically significant increase inr (p0.05) were included. The standard error of estimate of 0.00568 g · cm^–3 was equivalent to 2.6% BF at the mean.This study was supported by a grant from the Menzies Foundation     

The distribution of body fat in relation to habitual activity

42 young female subjects aged 19–24 years were selected to form 3 groups based on the estimated hours of physical activity taken each week. They represented 1. very active, 2. active, and 3. sedentary people. Their body fat and fat-free mass (FFM) were estimated from densitometry (corrected for the lung residual volume present during total immersion) and the distribution of subcutaneous fat mass (SFM) was examined by measuring skinfold thickness at 11 sites. The regression of body density on log σ4 skinfolds was significantly different between the 3 groups for a given skinfold value of up to 40 mm, which corresponded to a higher density value for the very active subjects. The possibility that this observation might be explained by differences in the distribution of fat between subcutaneous and internal fat stores was examined, using empirical calculations of SFM. The proportion of fat situated subcutaneously was higher than previously reported (0·65), with a range of individual values (0·41–0·87), but no significant differences in fat distribution between the 3 groups. Group differences in the relationship between body density and log σ4 skinfolds might be explained by variation in the composition of the FFM which may result from differing levels of habitual physical activity. The implication of this possibility in estimating total body fat from density measurements are discussed.     

The age of menarche in Irish girls

Age at menarche in Ireland is analyzed using data from a representative sample of 2,940 girls aged 9 to 17 drawn from schools in Dublin, Dundalk, Navan, and Portlaoise, of whom some half were urban and half rural residents. The mean age at menarche was 13.52 years. The authors note that this is the latest mean age at menarche recorded for a contemporary European population. No significant differences in age at menarche by place of residence or social class were noted.     

The reliability of recalled estimates of menarcheal age in a sample of older women

The accuracy of recalled age at first menses has been questioned, particularly if subjects are relatively old. This paper illustrates the use of a statistical technique that quantifies the reliability of recalled age at menarche based on re-interview of a small (15–20) subsample of subjects. Menarcheal age collected with the retrospective method in a sample of 108 females, 50 years of age and older, from Limón, Costa Rica, is reliable.     

额济纳土尔扈特人的人体测量学特点

目的 探讨额济纳土尔扈特人的体质特征。 方法 遵循《人体测量方法》,于2015年9月在额济纳旗达来呼布镇测量了土尔扈特人196例（男84例,女112例）体质数据。 结果 额济纳土尔扈特人多具上眼睑皱褶,有蒙古褶略低于50%,眼裂高度、鼻根高度、鼻翼高多为中等型,眼裂倾斜度多为眼外角高于眼内角,直鼻背,颧骨体发达,唇薄,眼褐。额济纳土尔扈特人男为高身材,女为超中等身材。主成分分析结果表明,与中国北方13个族群相比,额济纳土尔扈特男性身材高大,躯干宽阔,面的宽度大,头较长且宽,鼻较高且宽。土尔扈特女性鼻高、形态面高的高度中等,鼻很宽,口裂窄、唇薄。内蒙古额济纳土尔扈特人与新疆巴州土尔扈特人体质存在较明显的不同。土尔扈特人男性身体质量指数（BMI）均值已经达到肥胖的下限,女性BMI均值已经接近超重的上限。 结论 土尔扈特人具有蒙古人种北亚类型的体质特征,在中国北亚类型族群中土尔扈特人较为肥胖。