Puberty in a sample of Brazilian schoolgirls: timing and anthropometric characteristics.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the age at which puberty begins, age of menarche and anthropometric data of the participants at different stages of puberty.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study in which we evaluated 665 girls, a sample representing the female schoolchildren population in Uberaba.

RESULTS: We found that thelarche, pubarche, underarm hair and menarche were attained at the age of 9.8 ± 1.4, 10.2 ± 1.4, 10.5 ± 1.5 and 11.7 ± 1.3 years, respectively. The mean interval between thelarche and menarche (ITM) was 1.7 ± 1.3 years. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 31.3% and 95% of the participants began at thelarche between the age of 7 and 12 years.

CONCLUSION: These values indicate a secular tendency to the decrease of the age of menarche and an earlier start of puberty. It is very important to understand these parameters to establish public policies aimed at plans to prevent these early events, especially regarding control of the prevalence of obesity.