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Body mass index and timing of pubertal initiation in boys

Joyce M Lee1, Niko Kaciroti, Danielle Appugliese

  • 1Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Child Health Evaluation and Research Unit, University of Michigan, 300 NIB, Room 6E08, Campus Box 5456, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5456, USA. joyclee@umich.edu

Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
|February 4, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Higher body mass index (BMI) in boys is linked to delayed puberty onset. This study found boys with the highest BMI trajectories were more likely to be prepubertal at age 11.5. Further research is needed.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric endocrinology
  • Human growth and development
  • Public health

Background:

  • Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat.
  • Pubertal onset timing is crucial for adolescent development.
  • Previous research suggests a link between BMI and pubertal timing, but findings differ between sexes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between BMI trajectory and pubertal onset in US boys.
  • To determine if higher BMI is associated with delayed puberty in males.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal prospective study involving 401 US boys.
  • BMI trajectories were calculated from measurements taken at multiple ages (2-11.5 years).
  • Pubertal onset at 11.5 years was assessed using Tanner genitalia staging.

Main Results:

  • Boys with the highest BMI trajectories had a 2.63 times greater risk of being prepubertal at age 11.5 compared to those with the lowest BMI.
  • The mean BMI z-score at 11.5 years was 1.84 for the highest BMI group and -0.76 for the lowest.
  • The association was statistically significant (P = .04).

Conclusions:

  • Higher BMI trajectories are associated with delayed pubertal onset in boys.
  • The relationship between body fat and pubertal timing may differ between boys and girls.
  • Further research is required to elucidate the physiological mechanisms linking body fat to pubertal timing in both sexes.
Abstract

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