Anthropometrical characteristics of premenarcheal and postmenarcheal girls from Niš from different time periods

Abstract

Menarche is the certain signal of girls puberty and is usually preceeded by a period of intensive growth. Anthropological investigation of height, weight and breadth of pelvic, and the age of menarche, was conducted on girls aged 8-15 years. The purpose of research was to establish presence of differences in some anthropometric measures between samples of girls measured 1983-84. (subject were 464 girls) and girls measured 2010. (subjects were 449 girls). The aim of investigation was to determine age of menarche, body status in premenarcheal and postmenarcheal girls, and differences in anthropometrical characteristics trough time. In this way, could be brought conclusion about the presence of acceleration or deceleration. In the both samples girls had menarche earliest on 11 years. Body indicators were higher in postmenarcheal girls. Numerically bigger values and BMI are marked at girls measured 2010.