ESPE Yearbook of Paediatric Endocrinology

Brief summary: This longitudinal UK cohort study examined the prospective associations between objectively measured physical activity, independently of BMI, and pubertal timing in boys and girls.

This large study analyzed device-measured physical activity and its intensity in relation to puberty timing, using accelerometers worn on the right hip. A previous meta-analysis reported that female athletes had later age at menarche than non-athletes (1), but it was unclear whether these effects were mediated by BMI and whether total physical activity or any particular intensity influence puberty timing.

This study included 5610 children, comprising 2531 boys and 3079 girls. Higher total daily activity counts at age 7 years were associated with lower risks for earlier skin changes and voice breaking in boys and lower risks for earlier growth spurt, body hair growth, skin changes and menarche in girls. All observed associations were independent of baseline BMI at age 7 years and persisted after further adjustment for BMI at 11 years. Beyond total movement volume, no specific intensity of physical activity was associated with puberty timing.

These findings substantially extend existing evidence (2,3) regarding the potential role of physical activity on pubertal timing by analyzing robust and comprehensive data. The authors suggest that promoting overall physical activity may be a potential strategy to avoid early puberty timing, especially in girls.

References: 1. Calthorpe L, Brage S, Ong KK. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between childhood physical activity and age at menarche. Acta Paediatr 2019; 108:1008–15. 2. Ramezani Tehrani F, Mirmiran P, Gholami R, Moslehi N, Azizi F. Factors influencing menarcheal age: results from the cohort of Tehran lipid and glucose study. Int J Endocrinol Metab. 2014;12:e16130. 3. Merzenich H, Boeing H, Wahrendorf J. Dietary fat and sports activity as determinants for age at menarche. Am J Epidemiol. 1993;138:217–24.