Association between body mass index and age at onset of menarche in adolescent girls
- VernacularTitle:Охидын анхны биений юм ирсэн нас, жингийн хамаарлыг судалсан дүн
- Author:
Narangerel E
1
;
Amgalan B
2
;
Bolorchimeg B
1
Author Information
1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, MNUMS
2. Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, MNUMS
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Body Mass Index (BMI);
Acceleration;
Adolescence
- From:
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences
2026;91(1):102-107
- CountryMongolia
- Language:Mongolian
-
Abstract:
Background:Globally, the average age at menarche was 16–17 years approximately 100 years ago, whereas it has now decreased to 12–13 years. A cohort study published in 2024 involving 71,341 participants titled “Menarche and Time to Cycle Regularity Among Individuals Born Between 1950 and 2005 in the US” reported a decline in the mean age at menarche from 12.5 years among women born between 1950 and 1969 to 11.9 years among those born between 2000 and 2005. Early menarche has been shown to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, breast cancer, insulin resistance, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases.
Aim:To assess the association between age at menarche and body mass index in adolescent girls aged 11–19 years in middle and high schools in Ulaanbaatar.
Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted among 75 adolescent girls aged 11–19 years from General Secondary School No. 42 in Songinokhairkhan District, Ulaanbaatar. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering demographics, age at menarche, and potential influencing factors. Body mass index was evaluated using international standard criteria.
Result:Among the participants, age at menarche occurred at 12 years in 34.7%, 13 years in 26.7%, 14 years in 16.0% and 15 years in 5.3%. Nutritional status assessment showed that 60 participants (80.6%) had a normal body mass index, 13 (17.3%) were underweight, 1 (1.3%) was overweight and 1 (1.3%) had class I obesity. With respect to residential status, 42 participants (56.0%) resided in private houses, 17 (22.7%) in traditional gers, 15 (20.0%) in apartments and 1 (1.3%) in rented housing.
Conclusion:An association between body mass index and age at menarche was demonstrated among the adolescent girls included in this study, with higher body mass index associated with an earlier age at menarche.
- Full text:202609251745422485717_Охидын_анхны_биений_юм_ирсэн_нас_жингийн_хамаарлыг_судалсан.pdf
