Study of Anthropometric Characteristic Pre-menarcheal and Postmenarcheal Girls of West Medinipur, India

Abstract

Background: Menarche is defined as the first menstrual period. It is considered to be the most obvious sign of puberty in girls. It has been regarded in many cultures as a transitional step to womanhood. Nutrients are needed in varying amounts depending on one’s stage of growth. Objectives: Compare Anthropometric variation of Pre-menarcheal and post-menarcheal girls, Effect of body fat on menarcheal status. Study design: This study is done on adolescent counselling centre named anwesha clinic Anthrometric measurement are taken for this study. Method: Subjects: Adolescent school girls aged 10-19 years of Salboni Block of Paschim Medinipur the study area of Salboni Block is 25 km away from Medinipur town. Subjects are 10-19 years adolescent girl, the study were done on 1009 girls. Age at menarche of each girl was obtained by ‘status-quo’ method; with this method it is possible to collect menarche data for large representative samples of girls within a comparatively short period. Results: By comparison of Anthropometric variable it shows that post-menarcheal is higher anthropometric status. Mean difference in height, weight, MUAC, Triceps, Biceps, Fat Mass, Fat Free Mass, Body Mass Index, per cent body fat are 8.73, 3.69. 3.75, 1.56, 9.2.5.2, 4.99, 2.96, 2.41; they are significant comparison of pre-menache and post-menacheal anthropometric shows post-menarcheal girls’ anthropometric status is high. Higher per cent body fat girls experience early menarche Conclusion: Delayed menarche may be a sign of malnutrition since as nutritional status improves; the attainment of menarche is lowered. Attainment of menarche decreases when BMI increases. There is a correlation between BMI and attainment of menarche and also, there is a correlation between early obesity and early onset of menarche. Girls with early onset of menarche had higher BMI than those with late onset of menarche.