A Study of Body Mass Index in Relation to Menarche in Adolescent Females at Tikrit District

Abstract

Background: 
Anthropometric indices have been known to be associated with age at menarche. 
Objective:  
this study an attempt to determine the relation between menarche & nutritional status in adolescent's student. regarding the effect of menstrual cycle,
Subjects and methods: 
cross-sectional study was conducted during the period extended from first of October 2018 to the end of March 2019. Females of secondary school  in Tikrit district were be chosen from urban & rural areas Official permission  to  carry  out  this  study  was  obtained  from  educational directorate of Tikrit district & the head masters of each school before the study. In addition approval permission & consent were obtained from all study  students  by  using  a  multistage-stratified  random  sampling technique  which  includes(536)  female  adolescent  students  from secondary school of Tikrit district,  
Results: 
There was a highly significant difference between pre & postmenarcheal adolescent  student.  A  higher  percentage  of  underweight  (30.9%)  & normal  weight  (60.3%) were  in  premenarcheal students  while  higher overweight  (31.2%)  &  obesity  (12.6%)  in  postmenarcheal  students. Menarcheal age appear to be associated with the change of nutritional status of adolescent students as they increase or decrease according the number  of  years  of  menstrual  cycles.  Underweight  was  recorded  in adolescents students who were menstruating for less than 6 years while not present in adolescent  with more than 6 years menstrual time   while normal weight, overweight & obesity were fluctuating in increase & decrease along the menstrual cycle.
Conclusion:
The menstrual cycle had a highly significant effect on the distribution of nutritional status.