Association of Infant Physical Development and Rapid Growth With Pubertal Onset Among Girls in Rural China

Abstract

Key Points Question What is the long-term association of infant physical development and rapid growth with the timing of puberty onset in girls? Findings In this birth cohort of 294 adolescent girls in rural China, the infancy weight-for-age z score at 12 months of age and rapid weight gain from birth to 24 months of age and birth to 3 months of age were associated with puberty onset. Meaning The findings suggest that weight-related indicators may serve as proxies of puberty onset among adolescent girls.