DETERMINANTS OF EARLY MENARCHE AMONG ADOLESCENT GIRLS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

The declining age at menarche has emerged as a significant public health concern due to its association with various physical and psychological health outcomes.The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of early menarche and to identify its associated demographic, dietary, and lifestyle factors among adolescent girls.A cross-sectional study was conducted among 500 participants aged 15-19 years from rural and urban areas using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire along with anthropometric measurements.Data were analyzed using the chi-square test, and the level of significance was set at p < 0.05.The results revealed that 26.6% of participants experienced early menarche (≤12 years).A significant association was observed between higher body mass index (BMI) and early menarche (p < 0.001).Frequent consumption of processed foods was also significantly associated with early menarche (p < 0.001), whereas physical activity, general dietary habits, and cosmetic usage showed no significant association (p > 0.05).The study concludes that nutritional status and dietary patterns play a crucial role in determining the timing of menarche.Promoting healthy dietary practices and maintaining optimal body weight during adolescence may help in preventing early menarche and its associated health risks.