Birth weight, early life weight gain and age at menarche: a systematic review of longitudinal studies

Abstract

Background and objectiveAdiposity in pre‐ and postnatal life may influence age of menarche. Evidence linking BMI and menarche is primarily cross‐sectional, failing to address temporality, for which the role of adiposity in early life remains unclear. The objective of the current study was therefore to systematically review longitudinal studies evaluating the associations between birth weight and infant/childhood weight status/weight gain in relation to menarcheal age.MethodsFive databases were systematically searched: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Global Health (Ovid) and CINAHL. Selected studies were limited to English‐language articles, sample n≥200, presenting multi‐variable analyses. Fifteen original research articles reporting risk estimates for birth weight (n=4), infant/childhood weight gain/weight status (n=4), or both (n=7), in relation to menarcheal age were included. Information on cohort name, study location, years of study, study design, sample size, outcome, exposure, contrast group, risk estimates and confounders was extracted.ResultsAge at menarche was significantly associated with birth weight in eight of eleven studies. Greater BMI or weight gain over time and greater childhood weight was significantly associated with earlier menarche in seven of seven and five of six studies, respectively.ConclusionsTaken together, studies suggested that lower birth weight and higher body weight and weight gain in infancy and childhood may increase the risk of early menarche. This review suggests that the pre‐ and post‐natal period may be an opportune time for weight control interventions to prevent early menarche, and its subsequent consequences.Support or Funding InformationThis study was unfunded.