The Relationship between Type of Consumed Food, Physical Activity and Anthropometric Indicators with Precocious Puberty among 5 -8 Years -Old Girls in Ahwaz, Iran

• Main Authors: N Sharifi (Author), SH Najar (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Iran University of Medical Sciences, 2015-08-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 2008-5931
• Keywords: precocious puberty; nutrition; physical activity; thelarche; pubarche; Nursing; RT1-120
• Source: نشریه پرستاری ایران, Vol 28, Iss 95, Pp 34-43 (2015)

Abstract Background & Aims: The mean age of puberty is different from one country to another and the beginning time of puberty is influenced by various factors including environmental and genetic factors. This study was aimed at identifying the relationship between consumed food, physical activity and anthropometric indicators with precocious puberty among 5-8 years -old girls in the Ahwaz. Material & Methods: It was a cross-sectional study and 426 5-8 years-old girls participated in the study in the city of Ahvaz. Sampling was performed through cluster random sampling. 12 preschools and primary schools were selected from 4 districts of Ahvaz. The study gathering tool was included a demographic questionnaire, physical activity, food frequency and check list of Physical examination. Data was collected based on examination, interviewing and direct measurement of participants' height, weight and calculation of their body mass index. Then, collected data analyzed by SPSS software version 19 and Descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (independent t-test & and Chi-square) used to analyze the data. Results: our results showed that 45 participants (10/6%) had symptoms of Thelarche, Pubarche or both. There was a significant relationship between precocious puberty and physical activity (p<0.05), although it was not significant between nutrition and precocious puberty (p>0.05). Conclusion: The results showed a decrease in puberty age in comparison to the past. Since few studies have been performed in this area, this study can provide basic information for future studies as well as international comparisons.