To examine the longitudinal changes in adiposity and related risk variables of Syndrome X from childhood to young adulthood with respect to early onset of menarche.
DESIGN: Community-based longitudinal cohort of female subject (65% white, 35% blacks subjects) who participated in two or more surveys from childhood to young adulthood and had reported their menarcheal age (<12 y, n=437 vs > or =12 y, n=1042).
RESULTS: In childhood (5-11 y), adolescence (12-18 y), and young adulthood (19-37 y), females with early menarche displayed significantly higher body mass index (BMI) and triceps skinfold thickness; higher stature in childhood and adolescence; higher fasting
insulin and homeostasis model assessment index of
insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in childhood and adulthood; and higher fasting
glucose in adulthood. Blood pressure and
lipoprotein variables showed no early menarche-related differences. Longitudinal rates of change in BMI (P=0.002), triceps skinfold thickness (P=0.05),
insulin (P=0.09), and HOMA-IR (P=0.05) were positive and faster among female subjects with early menarche; fasting
glucose decreased slowly in this group (P=0.006). In a multivariate analysis, body fatness and
insulin related independently to early menarche (P<0.001). This association was stronger in white subjects (P=0.0008). In adulthood, the prevalence of clustering of three to four risk factors of syndrome X (highest quartile of: (1) BMI, (2) fasting
insulin, (3) systolic or mean arterial pressure, and (4) total
cholesterol to
HDL cholesterol or
triglycerides to
HDL cholesterol ratio specific for age, race, and study year) was higher among those with early menarche (10.7 vs 6.2%, P=0.002). The odds for developing such clustering in adulthood among those with early menarche was 1.54 (95% CI=1.14-2.07), regardless of race.
CONCLUSION: