International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Growth Evaluation  |  ISSN (Online): 2582-7138  |  Double-Blind Peer Review  |  Open Access  |  CC BY 4.0

Current Issues
     2026:7/3

International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Growth Evaluation

ISSN (Online): 2582-7138 | Open Access

Relationship of Menarcheal Age with Anthropometric Dimensions and Menstrual Health among Adolescent Girls of North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India

Full Text (PDF)

Open Access - Free to Download

Download Full Article (PDF)

Alternative download link

Abstract

Background: Menarche is a crucial sign of female reproductive maturity that is influenced by body composition, nutritional condition, and socio-environmental variables. Menarcheal age and menstrual features variations are significant indicators of adolescent health, especially in communities that are changing rapidly.
Objectives: The study aims to measure menarche age and menstrual health characteristics, investigate the relationship between menarcheal age and anthropometric indicators (BMI, WHR, and WC) and assess the effects of menarcheal timing and these indicators on menstrual outcomes.
 Methods: A cross-sectional study is conducted among 200 post-menarcheal adolescent girls of North 24 Parganas, West Bengal. A standardized questionnaire is used to gather information on age at menarche, menstrual flow, pain intensity and monthly regularity. All anthropometric measure are taken using standardized technique.
Results: The mean age at menarche is 11.75 ± 1.29 years. The majority of girls experienced moderate to severe discomfort (66%), moderate flow (71%), and regular cycles (68.5%). Menarcheal age is significantly correlated negatively with WC and BMI, but not with WHR. There is no correlation with earlier pain or cycle regularity. There is a strong correlation between menstrual flow and early menarche, with heavier flow being linked to earlier menarche.
Conclusion: The study reveals significant differences in menstrual health with respect to body composition and menarcheal timing among adolescent girls. Early menarche is linked to increased adiposity and heavier menstrual flow while other menstrual outcomes show minimal relationships, underscoring the need for early nutritional and reproductive health intervention during adolescence.
 

How to Cite This Article

Sarnali Sarkar, Mithu Bhadra, Ashish Mukhopadhyay (2026). Relationship of Menarcheal Age with Anthropometric Dimensions and Menstrual Health among Adolescent Girls of North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India . International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Growth Evaluation (IJMRGE), 7(3), 93-98. DOI: https://doi.org/10.54660/IJMRGE.2026.7.3.93-98

Export Citation:

BibTeX RIS EndNote

References

  1. 1. Agrawal M, Agrawal A. Studyofcorrelationbetweenageofmenarcheandbodymassindexinadolescent. Int JReprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol.2022 Jul27;11(8\:21714.
  2. 2. Devi KS, Dhall M, Kapoor S. Adipositymarkersanditsassociationwithageatmenarche: acomparativestudyamongruralandurban Meiteifemalesof Manipur, North-East India. Diabetes Metab Syndr.2019;13(1\:5003.
  3. 3. Studyofbodymassindexanditsassociationwithmenstrualirregularitiesamongadolescentgirls. Texila Int JPublic Health.2024 Dec26;12(04\.
  4. 4. Marques P, Madeira T, Gama A. Menstrualcycleageatmenarcheandoverweight. Rev Paul Pediatr.2022;40: e2020494.
  5. 5. Deori S, Bhattacharjee N, Kanrar P, Pal B, Goswami M. Associationbetweenbodycompositionandmenarchealstatus: astudyamongtheinstitutionalizedadolescentgirlsof South24 Parganas, West Bengal, India. Discov Public Health.2026 Feb6;23(1\:150.
  6. 6. Marv?n ML, Alcal?-Herrera V. Ageatmenarche, reactionstomenarcheandattitudestowardsmenstruationamong Mexicanadolescentgirls. JPediatr Adolesc Gynecol.2014 Apr;27(2\:616.
  7. 7. Kaplowitz PB. Linkbetweenbodyfatandthetimingofpuberty. Pediatrics.2008 Feb;121(Suppl3\: S20817.
  8. 8. Freedman DS, Khan LK, Serdula MK, Dietz WH, Srinivasan SR, Berenson GS, etal. Therelationofmenarchealagetoobesityinchildhoodandadulthood: the Bogalusa Heart Study. BMCPediatr.2003 Apr30;3:3.
  9. 9. Garn SM, La Velle M, Rosenberg KR, Hawthorne VM. Maturationaltimingasafactorinfemalefatnessandobesity. Am JClin Nutr.1986 Jun;43(6\:87983.
  10. 10. Lee CMY, Huxley RR, Wildman RP, Woodward M. Indicesofabdominalobesityarebetterdiscriminatorsofcardiovascularriskfactorsthan BMI: ameta-analysis. JClin Epidemiol.2008 Jul;61(7\:64653.
  11. 11. Harlow SD, Campbell OMR. Epidemiologyofmenstrualdisordersindevelopingcountries: asystematicreview. BJOG.2004 Jan;111(1\:616.
  12. 12. Solomon CG, Hu FB, Dunaif A, Rich-Edwards J, Willett WC, Hunter DJ, etal. Longorhighlyirregularmenstrualcyclesasamarkerforriskoftype2diabetesmellitus. JAMA.2001 Nov21;286(19\:24216.
  13. 13. Latthe P, Mignini L, Gray R, Hills R, Khan K. Factorspredisposingwomentochronicpelvicpain: systematicreview. BMJ.2006 Apr1;332(7544\:74955.
  14. 14. Ju H, Jones M, Mishra G. Theprevalenceandriskfactorsofdysmenorrhea. Epidemiol Rev.2014;36:10413.
  15. 15. Lakshman R, Forouhi NG, Sharp SJ, Luben R, Bingham SA, Khaw KT, etal. Earlyageatmenarcheassociatedwithcardiovasculardiseaseandmortality. JClin Endocrinol Metab.2009 Dec;94(12\:495360.
  16. 16. Mendle J, Turkheimer E, Emery RE. Detrimentalpsychologicaloutcomesassociatedwithearlypubertaltiminginadolescentgirls. Dev Rev.2007 Jun;27(2\:15171.
  17. 17. Pathak PK, Tripathi N, Subramanian SV. Seculartrendsinmenarchealagein India: evidencefromthe Indian Human Development Survey. PLo SOne.2014 Nov4;9(11\: e111027.

Share This Article: