The relation of menarcheal age to obesity in childhood and adulthood: the Bogalusa heart study

BMC Pediatrics

Table 4 Estimated Differences in Adult Levels of BMI and Triceps Skinfold Thickness according to both Menarcheal Age and Childhood BMI

	Whites (n = 771)		Blacks (n = 408)
Comparison	Age Adjusted^a	Fully Adjusted^b	Age Adjusted^a	Fully Adjusted^b
Early vs late Menarche^c
Adult BMI (kg/m²)	3.6**	1.4*	3.2*	0.8
Adult triceps skinfold thickness (mm)	4.2**	1.9*	4.8*	2.2
Highest vs. lowest fourth of childhood BMI^d
Adult BMI (kg/m²)	8.6**	8.1**	12.1**	11.9**
Adult triceps skinfold thickness (mm)	9.8**	9.0**	13.4**	12.9**

^a Age adjusted models for early vs late menarche control for childhood and adult ages; ^b Fully adjusted models for early vs late menarche control for childhood levels of BMI and triceps skinfold thickness (using linear and second-order terms), as well as for childhood and adult ages; ^c <12 y vs ≥ 13.5 y; ^d The proportion of children in each fourth of the BMI distribution are fairly similar to the proportion of girls with a menarcheal age <12 y (27%) and ≥ 13.5 y (28%). Fully adjusted models for childhood BMI controls for childhood and adult ages, and for menarcheal age. H₀:As assessed in linear regression models, the estimated difference in adult BMI or triceps skinfold thickness is equal to 0 between women who experienced an early vs. late menarche, or who were relatively fat vs. thin in childhood. * p < 0.05; **p < 0.001

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