Effect of nutrition and social factors on menarcheal age among Egyptian adolescent girls

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to determine the nutritional and social factors affecting age at menarche. In a cross sectional analytical study, 2021 adolescent girls aged [11-18 years] were surveyed in six different governorates. Age at menarche was estimated by the recall method and given by the study participants. A questionnaire was designed to collect information about education of girls, family size, number of rooms, parent's education and occupation. Anthropometric measures [weights and heights] were done. Food intake was determined by using 24 hours recall method. Adolescent girls were grouped into three levels according to social characteristics regarding the education and occupation of their parents. Crowdness index was calculated by dividing the family members over the number of rooms. Weights and heights were computed in accordance with age and compared with WHO [1995] percentiles of BMI/age. It was found that 67.2% of the sample had commenced menarche. The mean age for girls at menarche was 12.9 +/- 1.3 years. Among the non menstruating girls 13.1%were under weights. While among the menstruating 19.4%were over weights and 10% obese. The mean percentile of body mass index/age was significantly higher among the menstruating girls [p=0.00].Girls with high level of education commenced menses significantly earlier.[p=0.00] Family size,crowdness index, social levels showed no significant differences between pre and postmenarcheal girls. The total caloric intake and total protein intake were consumed by a higher percentage among girls who experienced menses though not significant. Intake of Micronutrients, retinol, iron and calcium were below the reference values by all girls suspecting under nutrition problems namely vit A deficiency, calcium deficiency problems and iron deficiency anemia. The mean age of menarche in Egypt is [12.9 +/- 1.3] years. Better nutrition on a balanced diet, girls education are important predictors for age at menarche