Associations between age at menarche and morphological parameters among girls from seven nationalities in Yunnan

Objective To investigate the associations between age at menarche(AAM) and morphological parameters among girls from multiple nationality in Yunnan Province.Methods The AAMs,height,weight,chest circumference were measured and Weierweike index was computed in girls from seven nationalities(Han,Bai,Hani,Dai,Va,Naxi,Lisu) who participated in National Physical Fitness and Health Surveillance in 2010 in Yunnan Province.Results Age at menarche in Han nationality(12.62 y) was the earliest in seven nationalities,followed by Naxi nationality(12.64 y).Girls from Hani nationality reported the latest age at menarche(13.13 y),followed by Va nationality(13.06 y).The morphological parameters were significantly higher among girls already had menarche than girls had no menarche yet.Height and weight of girls from Han and Naxi nationality were higher than girls from other 5 nationalities,and the differences continued to 18 years old.Conclusion There is a significant relationship between AAM and morphological parameters.Age at menarche is affected by the economy,nutrition and physical development during childhood.