Abstract
BackgroundPubertal onset occurs earlier than in the past among U.S. girls. Early onset is associated with numerous deleterious outcomes across the life course, including overweight, breast cancer and cardiovascular health. Increases in childhood overweight have been implicated as a key reason for this secular trend. Scarce research, however, has examined how neighborhood environment may influence overweight and, in turn, pubertal timing. The current study prospectively examined associations between neighborhood environment and timing of pubertal onset in a multi-ethnic cohort of girls. Body mass index (BMI) was examined as a mediator of these associations.MethodsParticipants were 213 girls, 6-8 years old at baseline, in an on-going longitudinal study. The current report is based on 5 time points (baseline and 4 annual follow-up visits). Neighborhood environment, assessed at baseline, used direct observation. Tanner stage and anthropometry were assessed annually in clinic. Survival analysis was utilized to investigate the influence of neighborhood factors on breast and pubic hair onset, with BMI as a mediator. We also examined the modifying role of girls' ethnicity.ResultsWhen adjusting for income, one neighborhood factor (Recreation) predicted delayed onset of breast and pubic hair development, but only for African American girls. BMI did not mediate the association between Recreation and pubertal onset; however, these associations persisted when BMI was included in the models.ConclusionsFor African American girls, but not girls from other ethnic groups, neighborhood availability of recreational outlets was associated with onset of breast and pubic hair. Given the documented risk for early puberty among African American girls, these findings have important potential implications for public health interventions related to timing of puberty and related health outcomes in adolescence and adulthood.
Highlights
Pubertal onset occurs earlier than in the past among U.S girls
Using direct observations of neighborhood environment and clinic-based Tanner stage assessments, we investigated the contribution of neighborhood factors to timing of onset of breast and pubic hair development, while adjusting for family income
Consistent with national data, African American girls were more likely to exhibit breast and pubic hair onset at baseline compared to other ethnic groups; 10% had experienced breast onset and 20% pubic hair onset
Summary
Pubertal onset occurs earlier than in the past among U.S girls. Early onset is associated with numerous deleterious outcomes across the life course, including overweight, breast cancer and cardiovascular health. The current study prospectively examined associations between neighborhood environment and timing of pubertal onset in a multi-ethnic cohort of girls. Recent epidemiological research shows that at age 8 years approximately 43% of black girls, 31% of Hispanic girls and 18% of white girls have experienced onset of breast development [13]. This documented trend of earlier pubertal onset has prompted a cascade of research focused on potential antecedents that may explain variability in girls’ timing of puberty. The current study addresses these gaps in the scientific literature
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