Original scientific paper
Maturational Profiles and Migration in the Female Adolescent Population of Madrid: Is There a Need for a New Perspective?
Raquel Fernández-del Olmo
Javier Anuncibay
Consuelo Prado
Abstract
The aim of this study is to assess anthropometric changes and menstrual cycle characteristics during the maturation
process of an adolescent female sample in Madrid, Spain. The new demographic context of Madrid, with a 33.9% of girls
coming from Central and South America, makes this study relevant in terms of new epidemiological situations that
could possible develop. The sample consists of 284 girls, ages 9 to 16 years, measured and interviewed in four school centres
of Madrid. Results show that menarche is slightly earlier in the Spanish girls, but there are no other important differences
regarding the characteristics of their menses. However, the Spanish girls have a significantly higher intake of
menarcheal pain related drugs. The anthropometric changes accompanying menarche are greater in the immigrants, especially
in terms of trunk fatness, leading to an »overweight« characterisation of this sub-sample. These maturational
profiles show the need for educational programs, especially focussed on the foreign adolescent population, to cope with
health risks related to overweight.
Keywords
menarche; menses characteristics; body composition; immigrants
Hrčak ID:
22726
URI
Publication date:
8.5.2008.
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