Conference Coverage

High body fat tied to slowed breast maturation in girls with obesity


 

FROM ENDO 2021

A possible step toward PCOS

The long-term clinical consequences of the hormonal state linked with overweight and obesity “are unknown,” said Dr. Shaw. However, she and her coworkers followed a few of their subjects with elevated testosterone levels during midpuberty, and several developed signs of early polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) such as irregular menstrual cycles, acne, and hirsutism. “It may be possible to identify girls at high risk for PCOS before menarche,” she suggested.

Dr. Burt Solorzano agreed that delayed breast development in girls with high levels of body fat may reflect inadequate progesterone production, which when coupled with an obesity-related excess level of androgens could put girls at risk for chronic anovulation and later PCOS.

“Weight management during childhood and early puberty may mitigate the adverse effects of obesity on pubertal progression and avoid some of the lifetime complications related to early menarche,” Dr. Burt Solorzano said.

The Body Weight and Puberty Study enrolled 36 girls who were overweight or obese and 54 girls with normal weight. They averaged 11 years of age, with a range of 8.2-14.7 years. Average percent body fat was 41% among the overweight or obese girls and 27% among those with normal weight. The results reported by Ms. Ortega also appeared in a report published Feb 22, 2021 (J Clin Endocrinol Metab. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgab092).

Dr. Shaw, Ms. Ortega, and Dr. Burt Solorzano had no disclosures.

Pages

Recommended Reading

CDC data strengthen link between obesity and severe COVID
MDedge Pediatrics
High obesity rates in Southern states magnify COVID threats
MDedge Pediatrics
In U.S., lockdowns added 2 pounds per month
MDedge Pediatrics
‘Striking’ increase in childhood obesity during pandemic
MDedge Pediatrics
Hyperphagia, anxiety eased with carbetocin in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome
MDedge Pediatrics
Cardiovascular risks elevated in transgender youth
MDedge Pediatrics
Pediatric NAFLD almost always stems from excess body weight, not other etiologies
MDedge Pediatrics
Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity is the answer to childhood obesity
MDedge Pediatrics
How physicians can provide better care to transgender patients
MDedge Pediatrics
The obesity risk everyone forgets
MDedge Pediatrics