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Leisure physical activity and age at menarche
1Département de Médecine sociale et préventive, Université Laval, Ste-Foy, Québec, Canada.
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|October 1, 1991
Summary
Early puberty (menarche) increases breast cancer risk. Certain sports like dance and gymnastics may delay menarche, potentially reducing this risk. Further research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Early menarche is linked to increased breast cancer risk.
- Understanding factors influencing menarche timing is crucial for public health.
- Previous studies suggest lifestyle factors play a role.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between exercise and the age of menarche.
- To consider personal and family characteristics in this analysis.
- To assess if specific sports activities influence menarche onset.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 2487 girls in Quebec City, Canada.
- Collected data on weight, height, BMI, skinfolds, and family history.
- Analyzed associations between physical activity, energy expenditure, and age at menarche.
Main Results:
- Weight, height, BMI, and skinfolds were inversely associated with earlier menarche.
- Mother's age at menarche showed a positive association with daughters' age at menarche.
- No association found between energy expenditure and menarche onset.
- Participation in specific sports (dance, gymnastics, skating, swimming, diving) was linked to a lower risk of early menarche (IDR = 0.71).
Conclusions:
- Physical characteristics like weight and BMI influence menarche timing.
- Certain competitive sports may delay menarche onset.
- These findings contribute to understanding early puberty and breast cancer risk factors.