Findings independent of body mass index-for-age or height
By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter
MONDAY, May 12, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Eating a healthy diet as a child is linked to girls having their first menstrual period at an older age than those who consume a less healthy diet, according to a study published online May 6 in Human Reproduction.
Colette P. Davis, Ph.D., from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, and colleagues assessed whether dietary patterns are associated with age at menarche. The analysis included 6,992 child participants (ages 9 to 14 years) in the Growing Up Today Study (enrollment beginning in 1996 or 2004).
The researchers found that participants in the highest quintile of the Alternative Healthy Eating Index diet score (a healthier diet) were 8 percent less likely to attain menarche within the next month versus those in the lowest quintile. After adjusting for body mass index-for-age (BMIz) and height, the association persisted (corresponding hazard ratio, 0.93; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.86 to 1.00; P for trend = 0.04). For the highest quintile of the Empirical Dietary Inflammatory Pattern score (most inflammatory diet), participants were 15 percent more likely to attain menarche in the next month versus those in the lowest quintile, with the association persisting after adjusting for BMIz and height (corresponding hazard ratio, 1.15; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.06 to 1.25; P for trend = 0.0004).
“Given that earlier age at menarche is associated with multiple later life outcomes, including higher risk for diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and breast cancer, this may be an important period for the reduction in chronic disease risk,” the authors write.
Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
