Childhood obesity continues to gain ground with significant health consequences. A study has just been published in the scientific journal Clinical Endocrinology. It suggests the existence of causal links between birth weight, childhood obesity and the age of the first menstrual period. Explanations.
Where is childhood obesity in France?
In the Weekly epidemiological bulletin published by Public Health France on April 26, 2022, a study took stock of the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic on the state of health of 4-year-old children. Among the figures presented in this study were data on childhood obesity. As for adults, childhood obesity is on the rise in France and the proportion of obese children at 4 years old has increased from 2.8% in 2018-2019 to 4.6% in 2020-2021.
The same trend is observed for overweight, with a proportion increasing from 8.9% to 11.2% for the same reference years. Childhood obesity is identified as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and certain cancers. Beyond the preventive actions carried out to improve the diet of the youngest, researchers are also interested in the possible causes of overweight.
A link between birth weight, childhood obesity and menarche?
Observational studies have previously suggested that birth weight and childhood obesity may be closely linked to age at first menstrual period (which specialists call menarche). But until then, no causal link had been demonstrated and the relationships between these three parameters had to be clarified. In a new study, researchers performed statistical analyzes on:
- 143,677 birth weight data
- 39,620 Child Body Mass Index (BMI) data
- 182,416 first period age data.
The objective was to assess the existence of causal links between birth weight, childhood obesity and menarche. Data analysis reveals that lower birth weight was significantly associated with earlier age at first menstrual period. At the same time, the researchers showed that increased child BMI (genetically determined) was significantly associated with earlier age at first menstrual period.
A cause of precocious puberty?
The researchers conclude that an earlier age of first menstruation is determined by two factors: lower birth weight and higher BMI during childhood. This discovery might lead to more weight control during prenatal care and during childhoodto identify young girls at an early stage who will have early menarche, ie early puberty, with consequences for their future health.
To date, the data published by Public Health France suggest that precocious puberty (puberty before the age of 8) remains rare in France. However, epidemiological data remain insufficient, while pediatricians and endocrinologists observe in their practice an increase in the number of consultations for precocious puberty. Understanding the causes of these early puberties is essential to better identify the adolescents concerned and support them to reduce the consequences on their long-term health.
Estelle B., Doctor of Pharmacy
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