Menarcheal Age and Nutritional Status of Secondary School Adolescent Girls in Nnewi, South-East Nigeria

Background: Menarche is an important indicator of pubertal development in adolescent girl. Age at menarche has declined over the years attributable to many factors. Objective: To determine the age at menarche of secondary school adolescent girls and its relationship with anthropometric values, nutritional status, social class of parents, and category of school. Subjects and Methods: Cross-sectional study of 311 secondary school adolescent girls (10-19 years) from two secondary schools (boarding school-Maria Regina secondary school Nnewi and Anglican Girls Secondary School Nnewi-day school) in Nnewi North LGA of Anambra State, Southeastern Nigeria, between May and June 2018. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to extract their data on sociodemographic characteristics and age at menarche. Height and weight were measured using WHO recommended methods. Body mass index (BMI) was determined using the Quetelet index (kg/m2). The relationship between menarche and anthropometric measurement was determined. Results: Of the 313 participants, 212 (68.2%) were post menarcheal, while 99 (31.8%) were pre-menarcheal. The mean age at menarche was 12.79 ± 1.20 years. Early menarcheal age was associated with significantly higher anthropometric values and BMI. Boarding-students had significantly lower menarcheal age (12.69 ± 1.26) compared to the day students (12.86 ± 1.15);students with parents of the high social class had lower menarcheal age (12.56 ± 1.51), compared to those with parents of low social class (12.90 ± 1.05). Conclusion: There was a significant relationship between age at menarche and the nutritional status of the participants. Students with parents of high social class and those in boarding houses had a relatively lower age at menarche. Adequate attention should be given to the nutrition of premenarcheal school girls and those of parents with low social class. Boarding school authorities should ensure measures to alleviate stress amongst boarding-school students.