Growth Pattern and Menarcheal Status in Relation to Body Size and Physique among Adolescent Rural Girls of Pinjore-Nalagarh dun Valley

The present study aims at evaluating growth pattern, menarcheal status and its relationship with body size and physique in a cross-sectional sample of 229 adolescent rural girls (11to 17 years) from Pinjore-Nalagarh dun Valley of Tehsil Kalka. In all, 17 measurements were taken on each subject, which included linear measurements, girths and skinfold thicknesses besides weight. The study demonstrated an increase in all anthropometric dimensions with the advancing age. Rural adolescent girls experienced their growth spurt in height between 12 and13 years and for weight it was observed between 13 and 14 years. Their body mass index (BMI) values showed a rapid increase from 13 to 15 years. Mean values of ponderal index revealed that the girls were most linear at 13 years and subsequently added more weight for their corresponding heights. The median age at menarche of present sample, as calculated using status quo method, was found to be 12.88 ± 1.23 years. The results indicated that girls in whom menarche had occurred were significantly taller, heavier and had greater skeletal dimensions and subcutaneous fat than the girls who had not experienced this phenomenon. Post-menarcheal girls also demonstrated higher values of body mass index and had broader body build than their pre-menarcheal peers of the same age. It is apparent from the present study that body size influences the timing of maturation and linearity of physique is associated with late maturation.