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BMI and the Onset of Puberty

  • Chapter
When Puberty is Precocious

Part of the book series: Contemporary Endocrinology ((COE))

Abstract

Although there is mounting evidence for a secular trend for earlier puberty in girls over the past 30–40 years, there is disagreement as to what factor(s) might explain this trend. This chapter summarizes the available information that supports a relationship between earlier puberty and the well-documented increase in obesity over the same time period. Although there are few studies that directly measured body fat as a predictor of earlier puberty in girls, there are many that examine the relationship between earlier puberty and increased body mass index (BMI) in girls, which correlates well with increased body fat in young girls. Using the data from the Pediatric Research in Office Settings (PROS) study of pubertal development in US girls between ages 3 and 12, a clear relationship was found in 6-year-old to 9-year-old girls between higher BMI and the presence of breast development and pubic hair. This relationship was stronger for White than for African-American girls. Data from other US studies [the National Health and Examination Survey (NHANES) III, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study (NGHS), and the Bogalusa Heart Study] support a role for increased BMI, as well as a few studies from other parts of the world. Whether increased obesity is a cause of or a consequence of earlier puberty in girls is still the subject of debate. There is so far no clear evidence linking obesity to earlier puberty in boys, and a few studies even suggest that obesity in boys may be associated with later puberty. Reasons why the effect of obesity may be different in girls than in boys will be discussed. In addition, the possible role of leptin and insulin resistance as factors linking obesity and earlier puberty in girls will be reviewed.

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Authors
  1. Paul Kaplowitz MD, PhD
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Pediatrics and Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN

    Ora H. Pescovitz MD

  2. Section of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Department of Pediatrics, Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA

    Emily C. Walvoord MD

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© 2007 Humana Press Inc.

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Kaplowitz, P. (2007). BMI and the Onset of Puberty. In: Pescovitz, O.H., Walvoord, E.C. (eds) When Puberty is Precocious. Contemporary Endocrinology. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-499-5_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-499-5_6

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-742-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59745-499-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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