Journal of Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences University (Jul 2020)
A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study to Assess the Association of Age of Menarche with Body Mass Index in Adolescent Girls of Urban and Rural Schools of Vijayapura, North Karnataka
Abstract
Background: Overweight and increased Body Mass Index (BMI) have been among the major changes in girls and is one of the likely factors affecting the menarche age. Aim and Objectives: To determine correlation of age at menarche with BMI in adolescent girls of urban and rural schools of Vijayapura, North Karnataka. Material and Methods: A prospective cross sectional study was conducted by Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Shri. B. M. Patil Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, BLDE (Deemed to be University), between 1stJuly 2019 to 29thFebruary 2020.Girls below the age of 19 years who had attained menarche were included. Height and weight were measured, and BMI was calculated. Statistical analysis was carried out in SPSS software, version 23.0 and Microsoft 2010. Correlation between age at menarche and BMI was assessed in adolescent girls of urban and rural schools of Vijayapura. Results: The mean age at menarche among adolescent girls of urban and rural schools was about 13.6 ± 1.2 years. Among all participants, 60.2% were from urban area and 39.8% were from rural area. The mean age of the menarche was 13.8 ± 1.2 in rural population and 13.5 ± 1.3 in urban population (p value <0.001). Among all study participants, 48.3% had normal BMI; however, 29.8%, 15.4%, 5.8% and 0.7% were underweight, severe underweight, overweight, and obese respectively. Majority of girls had normal BMI in both urban (49.2%) and rural settings (47.0%). Conclusion: A statistically significant association (p< 0.05) was noticed between onset of menarche and area of residence. There was an inverse correlation between BMI and age at menarche, although this was not statistically significant.
