Investigating the relationship between precocious puberty and obesity: a cross-sectional study in Shanghai, China

Chang Chen, Yunting Zhang, Wanqi Sun, Yao Chen, Yanrui Jiang, Yuanjin Song, Qinmin Lin, Lixia Zhu, Qi Zhu, Xiumin Wang, Shijian Liu, Fan Jiang, Chang Chen, Yunting Zhang, Wanqi Sun, Yao Chen, Yanrui Jiang, Yuanjin Song, Qinmin Lin, Lixia Zhu, Qi Zhu, Xiumin Wang, Shijian Liu, Fan Jiang

Abstract

Objectives: Obesity is reported to be closely relevant to early sexual development but the relationship between sexual precocity and obesity or central obesity is still inconsistent, especially in boys. We aimed to investigate the relationship between precocious puberty and obesity as well as central obesity.

Design: A large population-based cross-sectional study using multistage, stratified cluster random sampling.

Setting: Data from the Shanghai Children's Health, Education and Lifestyle Evaluation (SCHEDULE) study in June 2014.

Participants: 17 620 Chinese children aged 6-12 years.

Primary and secondary outcome measures: Obesity was defined by WHO Child Growth Standards. Central obesity was defined by sex-specific waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) cut-offs (WHtR ≥0.48 for boys, WHtR ≥0.46 for girls). Precocious puberty was identified by Tanner stage of breast, pubic hair and testicle development. A χ2 test was performed to compare rates. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the association between precocious puberty and general obesity and central obesity. Probit analysis was used for estimating the median age at entry into Tanner stage 2 or greater for breast, pubic hair and testicle development. Linear regression was utilised to compare the effects of WHtR and body mass index (BMI) on sex development indicators.

Results: 25.98% and 38.58% of boys with precocious puberty were respectively accompanied by obesity (OR=2.15, 95% CI=1.31 to 3.50) or central obesity (OR=2.10, 95% CI=1.46 to 3.03); meanwhile, 13.86% and 29.42% of girls with precocious puberty were respectively accompanied by obesity (OR=9.00, 95% CI=5.60 to 14.46) or central obesity (OR=5.40, 95% CI=4.10 to 7.12). The median ages of breast, pubic hair and testicle development decreased with BMI increase and median ages of thelarche and testicular development rather than pubarche were earlier in children with central obesity.

Conclusions: Earlier pubertal development was positively associated with obesity and central obesity in Chinese children.

Keywords: EPIDEMIOLOGY; Obesity; PAEDIATRICS; Puberty.

Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

© Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Sampling theme of the study. This study was conducted by multistage and stratified cluster random sampling. Seven districts were randomly chosen, 26 general primary schools were randomly sampled.

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Source: PubMed

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