ABSTRACT
Objective@#To investigate the prospective effects of the consumption of protein and animal foods before menarche on the age at menarche among Chinese girls.@*Methods@#This paper was based on the data collected in the China Health and Nutrition Survey(CHNS) from 1997 to 2015. A total of 683 girls aged 6 and over who had completed information on age at menarche, height, weight, per capita annual household income, maternal education level and participated in at least one complete dietary survey within 1 to 4 years before menarche were included. Urban-rural stratified multivariable linear regression model was used to examine the effects of protein and animal foods intake before menarche on Chinese girls age at menarche in urban and rural areas.@*Results@#After adjusted for total energy intake, body mass index standard deviation score and per capita annual household income, the consumption of meat before menarche was negatively associated with the age at menarche among rural Chinese girls(B=-0.003, P=0.00), but not among urban Chinese girls(B=0.002, P>0.05). Total protein, dairy, eggs and aquatic products intake before menarche were not associated with Chinese girls age at menarche in urban and rural areas(B=0.002, -0.001, 0.003, 0.000; 0.001, 0.001, -0.001, -0.003, P>0.05).@*Conclusion@#Higher intake of meat before menarche might lead to earlier menarche onset in rural Chinese girls. The consumption of total protein, dairy, eggs, and aquatic products before menarche did not affect the age at menarche in Chinese girls.