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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #179619
Title: EARLY SEXUAL MATURATION, BODY COMPOSITION, AND OBESITY IN AFRICAN-AMERICAN GIRLS.

Author
item HIMES, JOHN - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
item OBARZANEK, EVA - NATL HEART LUNG BLOOD INS
item Baranowski, Thomas
item WILSON, DARRELL - STANFORD UNIV SCH MED
item ROCHON, JAMES - DUKE UNIVERSITY
item MCCLANAHAN, BARBARA - UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS

Submitted to: Obesity Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/2004
Publication Date: 9/1/2004
Citation: Himes, J.H., Obarzanek, E., Baranowski, T., Wilson, D.M., Rochon, J.,McClanahan, B.S. 2004. Early sexual maturation, body composition, and obesity in African-American girls. Obesity Research. 12:64S-72S.

Interpretive Summary: This was a secondary analysis of data from the GEMS obesity prevention trial which was conducted at four sites: Baylor College of Medicine, University of Memphis, University of Minnesota and Stanford University. In a sample of 147 8-10 year old African American girls, measures of sexual maturation (also called Tanner staging, including assessment of pubic hair and breast development) were related to indicators of child adiposity. Girls with more advanced breast development, but not pubic hair development, were more likely to have greater height, waist circumference, lean mass, fat mass, and percentage body fat. Aspects of sexual maturation appear to be involved in the development of obesity among young African American girls. Longitudinal research will be necessary to delineate causal sequences between sexual maturation and obesity.

Technical Abstract: To describe associations between sexual maturation and body composition in a sample of African-American girls who were participants in phase 1 pilot interventions of the Girls Health Enrichment Multisite Studies (GEMS). Stature, weight, and waist circumference were measured. Pubic hair and breast development were assessed, and body composition was measured by DXA for 147 African-American girls who were 8 to 10 years of age from three field centers. Participants had BMI > or =25th percentile for age (one site) or BMI > or =50th percentile for age. Girls Health Enrichment Multisite Studies girls had greater BMI, fat mass, and percentage body fat than national norms and relatively earlier initiation of breast development and pubic hair. Increasing stages of breast development, but not stages of pubic hair, were related to increased stature, waist circumference, BMI, lean mass, fat mass, and percentage of body fat. Pubescent girls (breast stage > or = 2) were greater than six times as likely to be classified as at risk of overweight (BMI > or = 85th percentile) and greater than eight times as likely to be classified as overweight (BMI > or = 95th percentile) as prepubescent counterparts. Adjusted odds ratios for advanced breast development [breast stage > or = 2 (8 years) or > or = 3 (9 and 10 years)] were 3.6 for risk of overweight and for overweight compared to girls with average or less than average breast development. Sexual maturation is important to consider in understanding the classification of overweight and the development of obesity during adolescence. Breast development and pubic hair development should be considered separately for their associations with growth and body composition.