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RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BODY
MASS INDEX (BMI) AND AGE AT
MENARCHE

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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Body mass index (BMI) has come to be regarded and
accepted as one of the standard tests for identifying the
level of overweight/obesity of an individual by physical
measurements of height and weight, and rightly so
because of a number of reasons chief amongst which is its
ease of measurement and calculation and its simplicity.
The BMI of an individual is calculated by dividing the
individual’s body weight by the square of his or her
height. It is measured in kg/m2.
BMI= Weight (kg) ÷ Height (m) 2
Considering the fact that BMI calculations involves the
use of numeric values of weight and height, it cannot be
said to be an actual measure of body fat, but Ancel (1972)
found BMI to be the best proxy for body fat percentage
among ratios of weight and height and also appropriate
for population studies. Garrows and Webster (1985) also
believed that BMI had a correlation with amount of body

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fats and considered it a “simple and stable way with
which to judge obesity”.
BMI seems to be related to other phenomena, for
example cataracts which it was reported to be more likely
to develop in people with a high BMI as observed by
Glyma et al. (1995) and Hiller et al. (1998), another
example is the decrease in BMI following hospitalization of
senile dementia patients as reported by Watanuki et al.
(1991). But of particular interest is the relationship
between BMI and menarche, and in this case BMI
(referring to adiposity) is said to be a criterion for the
occurrence of menarche as suggested by Johnston et al.
(1975), Trussel (1980) reported that a certain amount of
body fat is necessary for menarche, Garrows and Webster
also reported that body fat (which had a correlation with
BMI) was a correlative indicator of menarche, Frisch
(1987) then indicated that the attainment of sufficient
body mass (typically 17% body fat) is a criterion for the
occurrence of menarche and finally Deborah et al. (2007)
showed that girls with BMI above the median at age 8
demonstrated earlier menarche than those girls with BMI

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below the median at this age. Putting this into
perspective, it would be possible to predict an
approximate time for the occurrence of menarche by using
BMI as a tool since considering that BMI can be used as a
means of measuring adiposity which plays a major role in
the occurrence of menarche.
The age of occurrence of menarche has been on a
constant decline over the past century, in the United
States, UK, France, and Greece, there is a decline in age
at a rate of 0.06-0.07 years every 5 years. Olu Oduntan
(1976) gave the median age for menarche in Nigeria as
13.70±0.03 in urban girls, 14.50±0.09 in rural girls and
13.26±0.06 in girls with university educated parents. In
1976, the menarcheal age of girls with university
educated parents, 13.26±0.06 was comparable with the
median age in the United States back then in 1976. The
latest statistics on the median age at menarche in the
United States is 12.5 years (Anderson et al., 2003), in
Nigeria it is given as 12.22±1.19 years in girls from middle
class homes (Ofuya and Zulest, 2008). This decline in age
at menarche has also brought along with it interests in

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the effect of early puberty in later years of the girl’s life,
Parents et al. (2005) linked early puberty (menarche) with
increased risk of obesity, diabetes and cancer. Studies
have also shown that girls who are heavier in childhood
experience menarche earlier than their peers, (Cooper,
Kuh, Egger et al. 1996, Petridou, Syrigou, Toupadaki et
al. 1996, Sharma et al., 1988), and at a given age, girls
who are menstruating are heavier and fatter than their
counterparts who are not (Roberts, Wood and Chinn
1986).
Age at menarche can be influenced by a lot of factors,
but for this study we would be analyzing the relationship
BMI and age at menarche. It is easy to understand that
girls with a higher BMI experience menarche earlier than
their peers, but the knowledge of an approximate BMI
necessary for menarche to occur is important to all
parties with an interest in these studies.

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1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY
Menarche is an important landmark in a woman’s
reproductive career, and the effect of BMI on it is well
documented; a Chinese research carried out showed that
Chinese girls with a low body weight gotten from the BMI
results had a lower bone age, delayed breast and pubic
hair development, a lower rate of menarche, lower distal
one-third radius and ulna bone mineral content (BMC),
bone mineral density and bone width (X Du et al., 2003).
They concluded that a BMI<18 is the cut-off for delayed
general growth including menarche. Trussel (1980)
reported that a certain amount of body fat is necessary for
menarche, Garrows and Webster also reported that body
fat (which had a correlation with BMI) was a correlative
indicator of menarche, Frisch (1987) then indicated that
the attainment of sufficient body mass (typically 17%
body fat) is a criterion for the occurrence of menarche and
finally Deborah et al. (2007) showed that girls with BMI
above the median at age 8 demonstrated earlier menarche
than those girls with BMI below the median at this age.
The proximate cause of menarche is an increase in the

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frequency of the gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)
pulse generator in the hypoyhalamus, but the age at
menarche varies widely and is delayed in populations with
poor nutrition (Thomas et al., 2001; Gluckman and
Hanson, 2006). Until recently, it was generally accepted
that the timing of menarche was related to skeletal
growth, which comes about a year after the peak in height
velocity (simmons and Greulich, 1943; Elizondo,
1992).How these apply to the Nigerian society is of great
interest.
1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Early physical maturity among females is on a
continuous trend with most countries experiencing a
steady decline in age at menarche. This decline has
continued over the past century and in countries like the
United States, UK, France, Greece and Nigeria, the decline
in age is at a rate of 0.06-0.07 years every 5 years. Olu
Oduntan (1976) gave the median age for menarche in
Nigeria as 13.70±0.03 in urban girls, 14.50±0.09 in rural
girls and 13.26±0.06 in girls with university educated
parents. In 1976, the menarcheal age of girls with

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university educated parents, 13.26±0.06 was comparable
with the median age in the United States back then in
1976. The latest statistics on the median age at menarche
in the United States is 12.5 years (Anderson et al., 2003),
in Nigeria it is given as 12.22±1.19 years in girls from
middle class homes (Ofuya and Zulest, 2008). This decline
in age at menarche has also brought along with it
interests in the effect of early puberty in later years of the
girl’s life, Parents et al. (2005) linked early puberty
(menarche) with increased risk of obesity, diabetes and
cancer.
1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The purpose of this study is to explore whether the
timing of menarche is more closely related to the BMI.
Considering the effects of adiposity on age at menarche, I
predict that the likely-hood of menarche will be positively
related to an increased level of BMI, and an early age at
menarche would indicate this.

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1.4 HYPOTHESIS.
Hypotheses were made to be tested with the chosen
means of experiment inorder to guide the effort and focus
along the line of study. The hypothesis made are as
follows:
Ho: The age at menarche is not dependent on the BMI.
HA: The age at menarche is dependent on the BMI.
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY.
The significance of the study would be to explain
early age at menarche, and its accompanying sequelae.
The impact of menarche on adult female life cannot be
undervalued, it’s been associated with increased risk of
obesity, diabetes and cancer. It is difficult to measure the
stages of puberty accurately, and so to indicate the timing
of puberty, epidemiological studies often use age at
menarche. The accurate determination of BMI before and
during menarche could be an indicator for age at
menarche and future effect of early menarche on the
female.

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1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY.
The study involves the measurement of the height
and weight of adolescent females to determine the BMI by
the simple weight/height2 ratio. It also involves
measurement of the hip and waist, to determine the
hip/waist ratio, and measurement of blood pressure.

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CHAPTER TWO.
LITERATURE REVIEW.
Menarche is an important landmark in a woman’s
reproductive career; and, to the degree that the selection
then molds the life-history of a species, one would expect
sexual maturation to be linked to the acquisition of
resources necessary for successful reproduction. The
proximate cause of menarche is an increase in the
frequency of the gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)
pulse generator in the hypothalamus, fat distribution and
BMI but the age at menarche varies widely and is delayed
in populations with poor nutrition (Thomas et al., 2001;
Gluckman and Hanson, 2006). Until recently it was
generally accepted that the timing of menarche is related
to skeletal growth, until studies showed it was more
related to the BMI (Simmons and Greulich, 1943;
Elizondo, 1992).
Another study that menarche depends on a critical
amount of stored fat, since the 16kg of fat typically stored
during childhood and puberty can provide additional

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energy during pregnancy and lactation was done (Frisch
and Revelle, 1970; Frisch and McArthur, 1974; Frisch et
al., 1973; Frisch, 1976,1994). The hormone leptin,
produced by fat cells, provides a pathway to communicate
the size of fat stores to the GnRH secreting neurons in the
hypothalamus via leptin receptors in KiSS-1 neurons
(Smith et al., 2006). Certain levels of adiposity is required
for puberty (menarche) (Chehab et al., 1996,1997;
Clement et al., 1998; Ozato et al., 1999; Farooqi et al.,
2002), and age at menarche in young women is inversely
related to adipose levels (Matkovic et al., 1997).
Despite the appeal of this hypothesis, studies of
menarche have generally failed to support the critical-fat
theory. Menarche can occur despite low fat levels with
little evidence of a threshold (Johnston et al., 1971;
Billewicz et al.,1976; Trussell, 1978; Garn and LaVelle,
1983); and multivariate analyses have shown that height
and bi-iliac breadth are much more important than
measures of total fat or body weight in predicting the age
of menarche (van’t Hof and Roede, 1977; Ellison, 1982;
Stark et al., 1989; Elizondo, 1992).

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However, another possibility is that menarche may
be related to fat distribution rather than total fat, and in
particular to the relative amount of lower-body (gluteo-
femoral) versus upper-body fat. Female waist-hip ratio
(WHR) declines during childhood from 1.03 at 4 months of
age to 0.78 at the time of menarche (Fredriks et al., 2005),
and there is a steep increase in hip circumference just
before menarche (Forbes, 1992). Young German women in
higher quartiles for self-reported hip, thigh, and leg
circumferences had higher odds of menarche in cross-
sectional bivariate analyses (Merzenich et al., 1993).
There is also evidence that gluteofemoral fat
produces more leptin than upper-body fat. Subcutaneous
gluteal fat contains more leptin mRNA than abdominal fat
(Papaspyrou-Rao et al., 1997), and multivariate analyses
indicate that hip circumference is a significant positive
predictor of blood leptin levels while waist circumference
is not (Bennett et al., 1997; Ho et al., 1999; Sudi et al.,
2000). For example, in the study by Bennett et al. (1997),
hip circumference explained 36% of the variance in blood
leptin levels, total fat explained an additional 2%, and

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waist circumference was not related. There is also a
negative relationship between the amount of free leptin
and both waist circumference and WHR (Magni et al.,
2005). Thus, gluteofemoral fat deposits could influence
the timing of menarche through their effects on blood
leptin level.
X Du et al., 2003 in their work, low body weight and
its association with bone health and pubertal maturation
in Chinese girls, showed that BMI<18 in females is
responsible for delayed general growth, development,
delay in puberty and consequently menarche.

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CHAPTER THREE.
MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY.
3.1 RESEARCH DESIGN
This research work is a basic research; therefore the
research design involves primarily the measurement of
height, weight, hip circumference, waist circumference,
and the filling of a questionnaire.
3.2 STUDY AREA.
This study was conducted in Ekpoma which lies
within Esan West local government area of Edo State. It
lies between latitude 60º 40º N 60º 45º N and 60º 05º E
60º 10º E (Obabori et al, 2006). Ekpoma is the designated
headquater of Esan West local government, it has a
population at last the count (2006) of 125,843 people,
63,785 of which are male and the remaining 62,057 are
females (NPC, 2006).

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3.3 POPULATION OF STUDY AND SAMPLE SIZE.
The study was conducted with subjects residing in
Ekpoma, Esan West local government area of Edo State.
The study involved 102 females between the ages of
13-20 years, spread over the senior classes (SS1-SS3) in
the various secondary schools listed in the population of
the study. The sample population was limited to only two
secondary schools out of the five known secondary
schools in the area. The selected schools are:
Ambrose Alli University Staff Secondary School,
Ihumundumu.
Zana Memorial College, Ikekogbe.
3.4 SAMPLING AND SAMPLING TECHNIQUE.
The entire population of females used in this
research, were gotten from the secondary schools listed
above. 80 females were gotten from Zana Memorial
College and the remaining 22 were gotten from Ambrose
Alli University Staff Secondary School presenting a total of
102 subjects.

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The values represented were taken from only
females, because menarche is particular to the female
gender.
3.5 RESEARCH INSTRUMENT.
The instruments used in this research work were:
Tape rule for measuring height.
Weight scale for measuring weight.
Tape rule for measuring hip & waist circumference
An electronic sphygmomanometer for measuring blood
pressure.
Age at menarche, nutritional status, socio-economic
status was established through questionnaires and
interviews. Details of the questionnaire are shown in
appendix 1.
3.6 ETHICAL PRE-REQUISITES
The researcher sought the permission of the various
head of schools before carrying out the procedures
necessary for the research among the females.

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3.7 ANALYSIS OF DATA
Data was tabulated, histograms and graphs were
drawn. Further analysed using the statistical package for
the social sciences version 17 (SPSS 17).The chi squared
test was used to compare variable characteristics.
To test the hypothesis in a bivariate context, we
examined some other data collected during the course of
the research. Measures used for the bivariate analysis
include, BMI, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood
pressure, mean arterial pressure, waist circumference,
hip circumference, hip-waist ratio, and age at menarche.
The total number of respondents involved in the
study is 102. We divided the BMI values into Low BMI
(<18.5), and Normal BMI (>18.5). We the further divided
the normal BMI into Low-normal BMI (>18.5<21.5) and
High-normal BMI (>21.5<24.9). We pitched each of these
classifications against age at menarche and sought out
any relationship therein.
Pearson’s correlations coefficients was used in
correlations, trends were tested using a linear regression

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model, in which BMI was entered as the independent
variable (predictors) and age at menarche was the
dependent variable (responsive variable). Confidence
interval (CI) of 95% was chosen in the analysis.

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CHAPTER FOUR
RESULTS
This chapter presents the analysis of data and
discussion of results which were based on the data
collected from the sample population on the effect of BMI
on age at menarche in the study population of Esan West
local government area of Edo State.
4.1 SECTION A (BIODATA)
From the data collected using the questionnaire,
4.9% of the subjects were aged 13yrs, with the highest
frequency being age 15 which made up 42% of the entire
population.
Below is a table summarizing the distribution of
subject’s age.

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Figure 1
TABLE 1-a; AGE DISTRIBUTION
Age
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative Percent
Valid 13.00 5 4.9 4.9 4.9
14.00 19 18.6 18.6 23.5
15.00 43 42.2 42.2 65.7
16.00 26 25.5 25.5 91.2
17.00 6 5.9 5.9 97.1
18.00 2 2.0 2.0 99.0
20.00 1 1.0 1.0 100.0
Total 102 100.0 100.0

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The subjects used were in senior secondary (SS)
class of their various schools. 39.2% of the subjects were
in SS1 class, with the majority of subjects were in SS2 as
shown in the high frequency of 47.1. The table below
summarizes the educational distribution.
TABLE 1-b; EDUCATIONAL STATUS
Frequency Percent Valid Percent
Cumulative
Percent
Valid 1.00 40 39.2 39.2 39.2
2.00 48 47.1 47.1 86.3
3.00 14 13.7 13.7 100.0
Total 102 100.0 100.0
Figure 2

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As expected, majority of the subjects were either of
the Ishan or Bini ethnic extraction, with equal frequencies
of 36.3% of the sample population.
TABLE 1-c; ETHNICITY
Cumulative
Percent
Valid ISHAN 37 36.3 36.3 36.3
BINI 37 36.3 36.3 72.5
HAUSA 3 2.9 2.9 75.5
YORUBA 3 2.9 2.9 78.4
IBO 1 1.0 1.0 79.4
OTHERS 21 20.6 20.6 100.0
Total 102 100.0 100.0
Figure 3

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Below is a tabular representation of the occupation
of parents.The majority of subjects had fathers who were
businessmen 25.5%, the nearest to that had fathers who
were teachers 12.7%. Majority had mothers who were
traders 47.1%.
TABLE 1-d; Mothers Occupation
Cumulative
Percent
Valid AAU ST 2 2.0 2.0 2.0
BANKER 2 2.0 2.0 3.9
BUSINE 28 27.5 27.5 31.4
CIVIL 3 2.9 2.9 34.3
DOCTOR 2 2.0 2.0 36.3
FASHIO 1 1.0 1.0 37.3
HAIR S 1 1.0 1.0 38.2
HOUSE 3 2.9 2.9 41.2
LECTUR 2 2.0 2.0 43.1
NURSE 4 3.9 3.9 47.1
TEACHE 5 4.9 4.9 52.0
TRADER 48 47.1 47.1 99.0
WORKER 1 1.0 1.0 100.0
Total 102 100.0 100.0

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TABLE 1-e; Fathers Occupation
Cumulative
Percent
Valid AAU ST 4 3.9 3.9 3.9
ACCOUN 2 2.0 2.0 5.9
BANKER 6 5.9 5.9 11.8
BARRIS 2 2.0 2.0 13.7
BUSINE 26 25.5 25.5 39.2
BUSSIN 1 1.0 1.0 40.2
CAR DE 3 2.9 2.9 43.1
CIVIL 5 4.9 4.9 48.0
CONTRA 2 2.0 2.0 50.0
DOCTOR 2 2.0 2.0 52.0
DRVER 2 2.0 2.0 53.9
ENGINE 5 4.9 4.9 58.8
FAMER 2 2.0 2.0 60.8
FARMER 2 2.0 2.0 62.7
FIRE F 1 1.0 1.0 63.7
LAWYER 2 2.0 2.0 65.7
LECTUR 4 3.9 3.9 69.6
PASTOR 2 2.0 2.0 71.6
PHARME 1 1.0 1.0 72.5
POLICE 3 2.9 2.9 75.5
POLITI 1 1.0 1.0 76.5
REVREN 1 1.0 1.0 77.5
RICE M 1 1.0 1.0 78.4
SOLDIE 1 1.0 1.0 79.4
TEACHE 13 12.7 12.7 92.2
TRADER 7 6.9 6.9 99.0
WORKER 1 1.0 1.0 100.0
Total 102 100.0 100.0

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Interestingly, 66.7% of subjects reside in flats as
opposed to 3.9% that reside in a duplex, and 8.8% lived in
single rooms.
TABLE 1-f; TYPE OF HOUSING
Cumulative
Percent
Valid Single Room 9 8.8 8.8 8.8
Self Contained 15 14.7 14.7 23.5
Flat 68 66.7 66.7 90.2
Duplex 4 3.9 3.9 94.1
Mansion 6 5.9 5.9 100.0
Total 102 100.0 100.0
Figure 4

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4.2 SECTION B (LEVEL OF ACTIVITY)
Below is the table representing the distribution of
subjects’ means of commuting to and from school, and it
shows that 33.3% and 33.7% of the subjects commute to
school every day on foot and public transport respectively,
while 13.7% go to school with their parent’s car. Below is
the table representing the distribution.
TABLE 2-a; MEANS OF COMMUTING
Cumulative
Percent
Valid On footmosttimes 34 33.3 33.3 33.3
Publictransport 38 37.3 37.3 70.6
Personal car 14 13.7 13.7 84.3
Droppedoff 16 15.7 15.7 100.0
Total 102 100.0 100.0
Figure 5

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On exercise status, 68.6% of the subjects are
involved in exercise and sporting activities, which leave us
with 31.4% who do not engage themselves in any form of
exercises.
Figure 6
TABLE 2-b; EXERCISE STATUS
Cumulative
Percent
Valid YES 70 68.6 68.6 68.6
NO 32 31.4 31.4 99.0
Total 102 100.0 100.0

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Of the 68.6% that exercise, just 23.5% exercise on a
daily basis.
TABLE 2-c; EXERCISE FREQUENCY
Cumulative
Percent
Valid DAILY 24 23.5 23.5 23.5
Bi WEEKLY 22 21.6 21.6 45.1
WEEKLY 28 27.5 27.5 72.5
MONTHLY 28 27.5 27.5 100.0
Total 102 100.0 100.0
Figure 7

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4.3 SECTION C (NUTRITIONAL DATA)
79.4% of the subjects eat three times or more each
day, the table below summarizes the distribution.
TABLE 3-a; DAILY NUTRITIONAL FREQUENCY
Cumulative
Percent
Valid ONCE 2 2.0 2.0 2.0
TWICE 16 15.7 15.7 17.6
THRICE 41 40.2 40.2 57.8
MORE THAN THREE TIMES 40 39.2 39.2 97.1
NOT REGULARLY 3 2.9 2.9 100.0
Total 102 100.0 100.0
Figure 8

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71.7% of the subjects had carbohydrates and starch
in their staple diet, and a meager 14.7% had protein in
their staple diet. Below is the table representing the
distribution.
TABLE 3-b; STAPLE DIET
Valid BEANS 9 8.8 8.8 8.8
BEANS/R 1 1.0 1.0 10.8
EBA 2 2.0 2.0 12.7
EBA & M 7 6.9 6.9 20.6
EBA & O 1 1.0 1.0 21.6
EGG & Y 3 2.9 2.9 24.5
FRIED P 1 1.0 1.0 25.5
FRIED R 4 3.9 3.9 29.4
INDOME 3 2.9 2.9 32.4
RICE 44 43.1 43.1 75.5
RICE & 2 2.0 2.0 94.1
SANTANA 1 1.0 1.0 95.1
SEMOVIT 1 1.0 1.0 96.1
SNACKS 2 2.0 2.0 98.0
YAM/EGG 2 2.0 2.0 100.0
Total 102 100.0 100.0

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72.5% of the subjects claim not to be on any diet or
weight modulator as opposed to 27.5% of subject who
claim to be on a diet and/or weight modulator.
TABLE 3-c; DIETING STATUS
Cumulative
Percent
Valid YES 28 27.5 27.5 27.5
NO 74 72.5 72.5 100.0
Total 102 100.0 100.0
Figure 9

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A greater number of subjects visit a fast food outlet
once in a month, this make up about 42.2% of the sample
population.
Figure 10
TABLE 3-d; Fast Food Outlet Frequency
Cumulative
Percent
Valid DAILY 16 15.7 15.7 15.7
ONCE A WEEK 11 10.8 10.8 26.5
TWICE A WEEK 17 16.7 16.7 43.1
WEEKLY 15 14.7 14.7 57.8
MONTHLY 43 42.2 42.2 100.0
Total 102 100.0 100.0

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On alcohol consumption, majority of the subjects,
88.2%, claimed not to consume alcohol.
TABLE 3-e; Alcohol Status
Cumulative
Percent
Valid YES 12 11.8 11.8 11.8
NO 90 88.2 88.2 100.0
Total 102 100.0 100.0
Figure 11

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On family histories of hypertension and
obesity.59.8% of the subjects had no family history of
hypertension, and similar scenario presents itself in the
case of obesity, as 62.7% of the subjects claimed not to
have any family history of obesity. Below are tables and
histograms summarizing the various distributions for
family histories of hypertension and obesity.
TABLE 3-f; Family History hx HPT
Cumulative
Percent
Valid YES 15 14.7 14.7 14.7
NO 61 59.8 59.8 74.5
DON’T KNOW 26 25.5 25.5 100.0
Total 102 100.0 100.0
Figure 12

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Figure 13
TABLE 3-g; Family History of Obesity
Cumulative
Percent
Valid YES 20 19.6 19.6 19.6
NO 64 62.7 62.7 82.4
DON’T KNOW 18 17.6 17.6 100.0
Total 102 100.0 100.0

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4.4 SECTION D (Anthropometry/Blood pressure)
When measured, the minimum weight of 40kg was
recorded in 3.9% of the subject population. The highest
frequency was 50kg which was recorded in 18.6% of the
subject population.
TABLE 4-a; Weight
Cumulative
Percent
Valid 40.00 4 3.9 3.9 3.9
41.00 1 1.0 1.0 4.9
42.00 3 2.9 2.9 7.8
43.00 5 4.9 4.9 12.7
44.00 4 3.9 3.9 16.7
45.00 3 2.9 2.9 19.6
46.00 6 5.9 5.9 25.5
47.00 4 3.9 3.9 29.4
48.00 4 3.9 3.9 33.3
49.00 6 5.9 5.9 39.2
50.00 19 18.6 18.6 57.8
52.00 4 3.9 3.9 61.8
53.00 4 3.9 3.9 65.7
54.00 2 2.0 2.0 67.6
55.00 9 8.8 8.8 76.5
56.00 3 2.9 2.9 79.4
57.00 1 1.0 1.0 80.4
58.00 7 6.9 6.9 87.3
60.00 6 5.9 5.9 93.1
62.00 2 2.0 2.0 95.1
63.00 3 2.9 2.9 98.0
65.00 2 2.0 2.0 100.0
Total 102 100.0 100.0

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Figure 14
The tallest height recorded was 1.88m which was
measured in 2% of the subjects; the table below explains
the distributions.

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TABLE 4-b; Height
Cumulative
Percent
Valid 1.51 1 1.0 1.0 1.0
1.55 2 2.0 2.0 2.9
1.57 1 1.0 1.0 3.9
1.58 7 6.9 6.9 10.8
1.59 7 6.9 6.9 17.6
1.60 13 12.7 12.7 30.4
1.61 2 2.0 2.0 32.4
1.62 5 4.9 4.9 37.3
1.63 11 10.8 10.8 48.0
1.64 13 12.7 12.7 60.8
1.65 8 7.8 7.8 68.6
1.66 6 5.9 5.9 74.5
1.68 1 1.0 1.0 75.5
1.69 5 4.9 4.9 80.4
1.70 6 5.9 5.9 86.3
1.72 4 3.9 3.9 90.2
1.73 3 2.9 2.9 93.1
1.74 4 3.9 3.9 97.1
1.75 1 1.0 1.0 98.0
1.88 2 2.0 2.0 100.0
Total 102 100.0 100.0

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Figure 15
On BMI, the values varied, with BMI of 16.80 having the
highest frequency of 4.9% of the subjects.

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TABLE 4-c; BMI
Cumulative
Percent
Valid 13.70 1 1.0 1.0 1.0
14.15 2 2.0 2.0 2.9
14.52 2 2.0 2.0 4.9
14.87 1 1.0 1.0 5.9
15.06 1 1.0 1.0 6.9
15.41 1 1.0 1.0 7.8
15.57 2 2.0 2.0 9.8
15.85 2 2.0 2.0 11.8
16.20 1 1.0 1.0 12.7
16.41 1 1.0 1.0 13.7
16.46 2 2.0 2.0 15.7
16.71 1 1.0 1.0 16.7
16.80 5 4.9 4.9 21.6
16.90 2 2.0 2.0 23.5
17.19 2 2.0 2.0 25.5
17.51 2 2.0 2.0 27.5
17.69 1 1.0 1.0 28.4
17.80 1 1.0 1.0 29.4
17.85 1 1.0 1.0 30.4
17.96 1 1.0 1.0 31.4
18.00 1 1.0 1.0 32.4
18.14 2 2.0 2.0 34.3
18.22 2 2.0 2.0 36.3
18.34 3 2.9 2.9 39.2
18.37 3 2.9 2.9 42.2
18.42 1 1.0 1.0 43.1
18.43 4 3.9 3.9 47.1
18.59 3 2.9 2.9 50.0
18.59 1 1.0 1.0 51.0
18.59 2 2.0 2.0 52.9
18.82 1 1.0 1.0 53.9
18.99 2 2.0 2.0 55.9
19.05 1 1.0 1.0 56.9
19.14 2 2.0 2.0 58.8
19.15 2 2.0 2.0 60.8

42
Figure16
19.29 1 1.0 1.0 61.8
19.33 4 3.9 3.9 65.7
19.38 1 1.0 1.0 66.7
19.49 1 1.0 1.0 67.6
19.60 1 1.0 1.0 68.6
19.78 1 1.0 1.0 69.6
19.82 2 2.0 2.0 71.6
19.83 1 1.0 1.0 72.5
20.03 1 1.0 1.0 73.5
20.20 1 1.0 1.0 74.5
20.70 2 2.0 2.0 76.5
20.82 1 1.0 1.0 77.5
20.96 1 1.0 1.0 78.4
21.08 2 2.0 2.0 80.4
21.23 1 1.0 1.0 81.4
21.30 2 2.0 2.0 83.3
21.80 1 1.0 1.0 84.3
22.03 1 1.0 1.0 85.3
22.10 4 3.9 3.9 89.2
22.31 2 2.0 2.0 91.2
22.58 2 2.0 2.0 93.1
22.66 1 1.0 1.0 94.1
22.86 1 1.0 1.0 95.1
24.22 2 2.0 2.0 97.1
24.46 2 2.0 2.0 99.0
24.92 1 1.0 1.0 100.0
Total 102 100.0 100.0

43
On systolic and diastolic blood pressure, the
subjects also showed varied values, with the value with
the highest frequency for systolic blood pressure being
117mmHg with a frequency of 9.8%, and 71mmHg for
diastolic with a frequency of 8.8%. Below are tabular and
graphical representations.
TABLE 4-d; SBP
Cumulative
Percent
Valid 92.00 2 2.0 2.0 2.0
95.00 1 1.0 1.0 2.9
98.00 1 1.0 1.0 3.9
99.00 1 1.0 1.0 4.9
101.00 2 2.0 2.0 6.9
103.00 5 4.9 4.9 11.8
104.00 1 1.0 1.0 12.7
105.00 2 2.0 2.0 14.7
106.00 3 2.9 2.9 17.6
107.00 3 2.9 2.9 20.6
108.00 4 3.9 3.9 24.5
109.00 4 3.9 3.9 28.4
110.00 5 4.9 4.9 33.3
111.00 1 1.0 1.0 34.3
112.00 1 1.0 1.0 35.3
113.00 3 2.9 2.9 38.2
114.00 5 4.9 4.9 43.1
115.00 4 3.9 3.9 47.1
116.00 8 7.8 7.8 54.9
117.00 10 9.8 9.8 64.7
118.00 2 2.0 2.0 66.7
119.00 6 5.9 5.9 72.5
120.00 3 2.9 2.9 75.5
121.00 1 1.0 1.0 76.5
122.00 6 5.9 5.9 82.4
123.00 1 1.0 1.0 83.3
125.00 4 3.9 3.9 87.3
126.00 8 7.8 7.8 95.1
127.00 1 1.0 1.0 96.1

44
128.00 2 2.0 2.0 98.0
132.00 1 1.0 1.0 99.0
172.00 1 1.0 1.0 100.0
Total 102 100.0 100.0
Figure 17

45
TABLE 4-e; DBP
Cumulative
Percent
Valid 44.00 1 1.0 1.0 1.0
50.00 2 2.0 2.0 2.9
51.00 1 1.0 1.0 3.9
54.00 1 1.0 1.0 4.9
55.00 4 3.9 3.9 8.8
56.00 5 4.9 4.9 13.7
58.00 2 2.0 2.0 15.7
59.00 2 2.0 2.0 17.6
60.00 5 4.9 4.9 22.5
61.00 1 1.0 1.0 23.5
62.00 3 2.9 2.9 26.5
63.00 4 3.9 3.9 30.4
64.00 3 2.9 2.9 33.3
65.00 5 4.9 4.9 38.2
66.00 2 2.0 2.0 40.2
67.00 2 2.0 2.0 42.2
68.00 3 2.9 2.9 45.1
69.00 2 2.0 2.0 47.1
70.00 1 1.0 1.0 48.0
71.00 9 8.8 8.8 56.9
72.00 3 2.9 2.9 59.8
73.00 4 3.9 3.9 63.7
74.00 6 5.9 5.9 69.6
75.00 6 5.9 5.9 75.5
76.00 1 1.0 1.0 76.5
78.00 4 3.9 3.9 80.4
79.00 6 5.9 5.9 86.3
80.00 3 2.9 2.9 89.2
82.00 2 2.0 2.0 91.2
83.00 3 2.9 2.9 94.1
84.00 2 2.0 2.0 96.1
86.00 3 2.9 2.9 99.0
89.00 1 1.0 1.0 100.0
Total 102 100.0 100.0

46
Figure 18
On pulse pressure, 2% of the subjects had a pulse
pressure of 22; the highest frequency was 8.8% for values
42 and 48.

47
TABLE 4-f; PP
Cumulative
Percent
Valid 22.00 2 2.0 2.0 2.0
31.00 2 2.0 2.0 3.9
32.00 3 2.9 2.9 6.9
33.00 1 1.0 1.0 7.8
34.00 1 1.0 1.0 8.8
36.00 5 4.9 4.9 13.7
37.00 3 2.9 2.9 16.7
38.00 3 2.9 2.9 19.6
40.00 4 3.9 3.9 23.5
41.00 5 4.9 4.9 28.4
42.00 9 8.8 8.8 37.3
43.00 4 3.9 3.9 41.2
44.00 6 5.9 5.9 47.1
45.00 3 2.9 2.9 50.0
46.00 2 2.0 2.0 52.0
47.00 3 2.9 2.9 54.9
48.00 9 8.8 8.8 63.7
49.00 6 5.9 5.9 69.6
50.00 6 5.9 5.9 75.5
51.00 4 3.9 3.9 79.4
52.00 1 1.0 1.0 80.4
54.00 6 5.9 5.9 86.3
55.00 5 4.9 4.9 91.2
56.00 2 2.0 2.0 93.1
60.00 2 2.0 2.0 95.1
61.00 2 2.0 2.0 97.1
64.00 1 1.0 1.0 98.0
68.00 1 1.0 1.0 99.0
99.00 1 1.0 1.0 100.0
Total 102 100.0 100.0

48
Figure 19
On mean arterial pressure, the values gotten were so
varied, with most values having frequencies of 1% and
2%.

49
TABLE 4-g; MAP
Cumulative
Percent
Valid 61.00 1 1.0 1.0 1.0
64.00 2 2.0 2.0 2.9
67.00 1 1.0 1.0 3.9
70.00 1 1.0 1.0 4.9
70.33 1 1.0 1.0 5.9
71.00 2 2.0 2.0 7.8
72.33 1 1.0 1.0 8.8
73.00 1 1.0 1.0 9.8
74.00 3 2.9 2.9 12.7
75.00 4 3.9 3.9 16.7
76.33 2 2.0 2.0 18.6
76.67 3 2.9 2.9 21.6
77.00 1 1.0 1.0 22.5
78.33 2 2.0 2.0 24.5
78.67 1 1.0 1.0 25.5
79.67 2 2.0 2.0 27.5
80.33 4 3.9 3.9 31.4
80.67 2 2.0 2.0 33.3
81.00 1 1.0 1.0 34.3
81.33 2 2.0 2.0 36.3
81.67 3 2.9 2.9 39.2
83.00 2 2.0 2.0 41.2
83.33 1 1.0 1.0 42.2
84.00 1 1.0 1.0 43.1
84.33 3 2.9 2.9 46.1
84.67 3 2.9 2.9 49.0
85.00 2 2.0 2.0 51.0
85.33 4 3.9 3.9 54.9
86.00 2 2.0 2.0 56.9
86.33 2 2.0 2.0 58.8
86.67 5 4.9 4.9 63.7
87.00 3 2.9 2.9 66.7
88.67 3 2.9 2.9 69.6
89.67 1 1.0 1.0 70.6
90.00 2 2.0 2.0 72.5
90.67 2 2.0 2.0 74.5
91.33 1 1.0 1.0 75.5
91.67 2 2.0 2.0 77.5
92.00 2 2.0 2.0 79.4
92.33 2 2.0 2.0 81.4
93.00 1 1.0 1.0 82.4
93.33 2 2.0 2.0 84.3

50
94.00 2 2.0 2.0 86.3
94.33 1 1.0 1.0 87.3
95.00 1 1.0 1.0 88.2
95.33 2 2.0 2.0 90.2
96.00 2 2.0 2.0 92.2
96.33 1 1.0 1.0 93.1
96.67 2 2.0 2.0 95.1
97.00 2 2.0 2.0 97.1
97.33 1 1.0 1.0 98.0
101.33 1 1.0 1.0 99.0
106.00 1 1.0 1.0 100.0
Total 102 100.0 100.0
Figure 20

51
On waist and hip circumference, 65cm for waist
circumference had the highest frequency of 12.7% of the
subjects while hip circumference had 88cm as the value
with the highest frequency, 15.7%.
The corresponding hip-waist ratio of the subjects
had 3.9% having hip-waist ratio of 1.10, 1% having 1.11.
Below are graphs and tables depicting the data on
waist circumference, hip circumference and hip-waist
ratio.
TABLE 4-g; WAIST CIRCUMFERENCE
Valid 60.00 1 1.0 1.0 1.0
61.00 2 2.0 2.0 2.9
63.00 1 1.0 1.0 3.9
64.00 9 8.8 8.8 12.7
65.00 13 12.7 12.7 25.5
66.00 5 4.9 4.9 30.4
67.00 3 2.9 2.9 33.3
68.00 4 3.9 3.9 37.3
69.00 9 8.8 8.8 46.1
70.00 3 2.9 2.9 49.0
71.00 10 9.8 9.8 58.8
72.00 5 4.9 4.9 63.7
73.00 7 6.9 6.9 70.6
74.00 9 8.8 8.8 79.4
75.00 1 1.0 1.0 80.4
76.00 5 4.9 4.9 85.3
77.00 1 1.0 1.0 86.3
78.00 4 3.9 3.9 90.2
79.00 4 3.9 3.9 94.1
81.00 2 2.0 2.0 96.1
82.00 1 1.0 1.0 97.1
87.00 2 2.0 2.0 99.0
96.00 1 1.0 1.0 100.0
Total 102 100.0 100.0

53
TABLE 4-h; HIP CIRCUMFERENCE
Cumulative
Percent
Valid 79.00 4 3.9 3.9 3.9
80.00 5 4.9 4.9 8.8
81.00 1 1.0 1.0 9.8
82.00 2 2.0 2.0 11.8
83.00 7 6.9 6.9 18.6
84.00 5 4.9 4.9 23.5
85.00 11 10.8 10.8 34.3
86.00 7 6.9 6.9 41.2
87.00 4 3.9 3.9 45.1
88.00 16 15.7 15.7 60.8
89.00 8 7.8 7.8 68.6
90.00 3 2.9 2.9 71.6
91.00 4 3.9 3.9 75.5
92.00 2 2.0 2.0 77.5
93.00 11 10.8 10.8 88.2
94.00 1 1.0 1.0 89.2
95.00 3 2.9 2.9 92.2
96.00 2 2.0 2.0 94.1
97.00 1 1.0 1.0 95.1
98.00 1 1.0 1.0 96.1
101.00 1 1.0 1.0 97.1
107.00 3 2.9 2.9 100.0
Total 102 100.0 100.0

54
TABLE 4-i; H/W RATIO
Cumulative
Percent
Valid 1.10 4 3.9 3.9 3.9
1.11 1 1.0 1.0 4.9
1.12 3 2.9 2.9 7.8
1.14 3 2.9 2.9 10.8
1.14 1 1.0 1.0 11.8
1.15 1 1.0 1.0 12.7
1.16 1 1.0 1.0 13.7
1.17 1 1.0 1.0 14.7
1.18 4 3.9 3.9 18.6
1.19 3 2.9 2.9 21.6
1.20 3 2.9 2.9 24.5
1.21 3 2.9 2.9 27.5
1.22 7 6.9 6.9 34.3
1.23 10 9.8 9.8 44.1
1.24 4 3.9 3.9 48.0
1.25 7 6.9 6.9 54.9
1.26 5 4.9 4.9 59.8
1.27 3 2.9 2.9 62.7
1.28 1 1.0 1.0 63.7
1.29 3 2.9 2.9 66.7
1.30 2 2.0 2.0 68.6
1.31 6 5.9 5.9 74.5
1.32 2 2.0 2.0 76.5
1.33 9 8.8 8.8 85.3
1.34 3 2.9 2.9 88.2
1.35 4 3.9 3.9 92.2
1.36 2 2.0 2.0 94.1
1.38 2 2.0 2.0 96.1
1.38 1 1.0 1.0 97.1
1.43 2 2.0 2.0 99.0
1.67 1 1.0 1.0 100.0
Total 102 100.0 100.0

55
Figure 23
4.5 SECTION E (GENERAL)
On sexual activity, 84.3% of the subject claimed not
to be sexually active, leaving 15.7% who are sexually
active.
TABLE 5-a; SEXUAL ACTIVITY
Cumulative
Percent
Valid YES 16 15.7 15.7 15.7
NO 86 84.3 84.3 100.0
Total 102 100.0 100.0

56
Figure 24
On age at menarche, 2.9% had 11yrs as their age at
menarche; a further 28.4% had their age at menarche at
12yrs. The table below shows the distribution.
TABLE 5-b; AGE AT MENARCHE
Cumulative
Percent
Valid 11.00 3 2.9 2.9 2.9
12.00 29 28.4 28.4 31.4
13.00 34 33.3 33.3 64.7
14.00 23 22.5 22.5 87.3
15.00 11 10.8 10.8 98.0
16.00 1 1.0 1.0 99.0
18.00 1 1.0 1.0 100.0
Total 102 100.0 100.0

58
4.6 PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA
TABLE 4.6-1
Statistics
Age BMI SBP DBP
AGE AT
MENARCHE MAP
WAIST-
C HIP-C
H/W
RATIO
Valid 102 102 102 102 102 102 102 102 102
Missing 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mean 15.1961 18.9254 115.0490 69.0980 13.1765 84.4150 70.7941 88.1961 1.2562
Std. Error of
Mean
.11150 .24517 1.00459 .95436 .11608 .85711 .60242 .56202 .00861
Median 15.0000 18.5906 116.0000 71.0000 13.0000 85.0000 71.0000 88.0000 1.2500
Mode 15.00 16.80 117.00 71.00 13.00 86.67 65.00 88.00 1.23
Std.
Deviation
1.12610 2.47607 10.14584 9.63853 1.17239 8.65643 6.08413 5.67614 .08700
Variance 1.268 6.131 102.938 92.901 1.374 74.934 37.017 32.219 .008
Range 7.00 11.22 80.00 45.00 7.00 45.00 36.00 28.00 .57
Minimum 13.00 13.70 92.00 44.00 11.00 61.00 60.00 79.00 1.10
Maximum 20.00 24.92 172.00 89.00 18.00 106.00 96.00 107.00 1.67
Percentiles 25 15.0000 17.1875 108.7500 62.0000 12.0000 78.5833 65.0000 85.0000 1.2075
50 15.0000 18.5906 116.0000 71.0000 13.0000 85.0000 71.0000 88.0000 1.2500
75 16.0000 20.7008 120.2500 75.2500 14.0000 91.4167 74.0000 91.2500 1.3200
The table above shows the details of data such as
the mean, median, mode, percentiles of the total data
collected.
The range of age of subjects used in this study was
between the ages of 13 and 20. The median age was 15
which made up 42.2% of the total subjects (n=102). The
mean age was 15.20±1.13 which was 86.3% of the total
subjects. 4.9% of the total respondents fell above the
mean age, while 8.9% fell below it.

59
The mean age at menarche is 13.18±1.17, the
maximum age at menarche of the female subjects is 18
yrs, and the minimum age is 11 yrs.
The mean BMI of the female subjects is 18.93±2.48,
the maximum BMI is 24.92 and the minimum BMI is
13.70.
Upon analysis, the values of BMI were divided into
normal BMI and low BMI.
TABLE 4.6-2
Statistics
AGE BMI SBP DBP MAP
WAIST-
C HIP-C
H/W
RATIO
AGE AT
MENARCH
E
N Valid 54 54 54 54 54 54 54 54 54
Missing 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mean 15.3333 20.6947 116.1111 70.4815 85.6914 72.0000 91.0741 1.2702 13.3148
Std. Error of Mean .12950 .24383 1.03727 1.28740 1.05095 .90692 .75922 .01058 .17299
Median 15.0000 20.1154 117.0000 71.0000 84.6667 71.0000 90.0000 1.2600 13.0000
Mode 15.00 19.33a
117.00 71.00 76.67a
71.00 93.00 1.33 13.00
Std. Deviation .95166 1.79176 7.62238 9.46043 7.72289 6.66447 5.57911 .07771 1.27122
Range 5.00 6.33 33.00 38.00 34.33 33.00 24.00 .33 7.00
Minimum 13.00 18.59 99.00 51.00 67.00 63.00 83.00 1.10 11.00
Maximum 18.00 24.92 132.00 89.00 101.33 96.00 107.00 1.43 18.00
Percentiles 25 15.0000 19.1467 110.0000 63.0000 80.5833 66.0000 87.7500 1.2200 12.0000
50 15.0000 20.1154 117.0000 71.0000 84.6667 71.0000 90.0000 1.2600 13.0000
75 16.0000 22.1003 122.0000 78.2500 93.0833 76.0000 93.0000 1.3300 14.0000
the mean, median, mode, percentiles of the data collected
based on a normal BMI range from 18.5-25.0.

60
54 subjects fell within the normal BMI range.
The range of age of subjects that fell within normal
BMI was between the ages of 13-18. The median age was
15 which made up 42.6% of the subjects with normal BMI
(n=54). The mean age was 15.33±1 which was 88.9% of
the subjects with normal BMI. 7.5% of the subjects with
normal BMI were above the mean age, while 3.7% fell
below it.
The mean age at menarche was found to be
13.32±1.27, the maximum age at menarche of the female
subjects was 18 yrs, and the minimum age was 11 yrs.
The mean BMI of the female subjects with normal
BMI was 20.70±1.80, the maximum BMI was 24.92 and
the minimum BMI was 18.59.

61
TABLE 4.6-3
Statistics
AGE BMI SBP DBP MAP
WAIST-
C HIP-C
H/W
RATIO
AGE AT
MENARCH
E
N Valid 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48
Missing 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mean 15.0417 16.9365 113.8542 67.5417 82.9790 69.4375 84.9583 1.2402 13.0208
Std. Error of Mean .18584 .19954 1.78498 1.39971 1.36774 .73472 .53838 .01367 .15032
Median 15.0000 17.0450 114.0000 70.5000 85.3300 69.0000 85.0000 1.2300 13.0000
Mode 15.00 16.80 116.00 56.00a
74.00a
65.00 88.00 1.23a
12.00a
Std. Deviation 1.28756 1.38243 12.36672 9.69746 9.47599 5.09028 3.73003 .09472 1.04147
Range 7.00 4.73 80.00 42.00 45.00 21.00 14.00 .57 4.00
Minimum 13.00 13.70 92.00 44.00 61.00 60.00 79.00 1.10 11.00
Maximum 20.00 18.43 172.00 86.00 106.00 81.00 93.00 1.67 15.00
Percentiles 25 14.0000 15.9375 107.2500 59.2500 75.0000 65.0000 82.2500 1.1825 12.0000
50 15.0000 17.0450 114.0000 70.5000 85.3300 69.0000 85.0000 1.2300 13.0000
75 15.7500 18.2200 119.0000 74.7500 89.6675 73.0000 88.0000 1.3050 14.0000
based on a low BMI range <18.5.
48 subjects fell within the low BMI range.
The range of age of subjects that fell within low BMI
was between the ages of 13-20. The median age was 15
which made up 41.7% of the subjects with low BMI
(n=48). The mean age was 15.04±1.29 which was 83.4% of
the subjects with low BMI. 10.5% of the subjects with low
BMI were above the mean age, while 6.3% fell below it.

62
The mean BMI of the female subjects with low BMI
was 16.94±1.38, the maximum BMI was 18.43 and the
minimum BMI was 13.70.
For a more thorough analysis, the values of the
normal BMI were further divided into low-normal BMI and
high-normal BMI.
TABLE 4.6-4
Statistics
AGE BMI SBP DBP MAP
WAIST-
C HIP-C
H/W
RATIO
AGE AT
MENARCH
E
N Valid 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17
Missing 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mean 14.8824 22.9305 119.1765 74.6471 89.4902 75.9412 94.7647 1.2535 12.8235
Std. Error of Mean .22496 .25671 1.87325 2.37781 1.92191 2.02279 1.63268 .02020 .39515
Median 15.0000 22.5827 122.0000 79.0000 94.0000 74.0000 93.0000 1.2400 12.0000
Mode 15.00 22.10 120.00a
83.00 75.00a
71.00a
93.00 1.23 12.00
Std. Deviation .92752 1.05844 7.72363 9.80396 7.92422 8.34019 6.73173 .08329 1.62924
Range 3.00 3.12 25.00 29.00 22.33 31.00 19.00 .32 7.00
Minimum 13.00 21.80 103.00 55.00 75.00 65.00 88.00 1.11 11.00
Maximum 16.00 24.92 128.00 84.00 97.33 96.00 107.00 1.43 18.00
Percentiles 25 14.5000 22.1003 115.0000 68.5000 82.8333 70.0000 89.0000 1.2100 12.0000
50 15.0000 22.5827 122.0000 79.0000 94.0000 74.0000 93.0000 1.2400 12.0000
75 15.5000 24.2188 125.0000 83.0000 96.0000 80.0000 99.0000 1.2900 13.0000

63
based on a high normal BMI range from >21.5<25.0.
17 subjects fell within the high normal BMI range.
The range of age of subjects that fell within normal
BMI was between the ages of 13-16. The median age was
15 which made up 52.9% of the subjects with high
normal BMI (n=17). The mean age was 14.88±0.93 which
was 88.3% of the subjects with high normal BMI.
The mean BMI of the female subjects with high
normal BMI was 22.93±1.06, the maximum BMI was
24.92 and the minimum BMI was 21.80.

64
TABLE 4.6-5
Statistics
age BMI SBP DBP MAP
WAIST-
C HIP-C
H/W
RATIO
AGE AT
MENARCHE
N Valid 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37
Missing 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mean 15.5405 19.6675 114.7027 68.5676 83.9459 70.1892 89.3784 1.2778 13.5405
Std. Error of Mean .14803 .14551 1.19173 1.44340 1.16194 .80150 .66368 .01232 .16709
Median 16.0000 19.3337 116.0000 68.0000 83.3333 71.0000 88.0000 1.3000 13.0000
Mode 16.00 19.33 117.00 71.00 76.67a
64.00 85.00 1.33 13.00
Std. Deviation .90045 .88510 7.24900 8.77984 7.06780 4.87532 4.03699 .07495 1.01638
Range 4.00 2.71 33.00 38.00 34.33 16.00 15.00 .28 4.00
Minimum 14.00 18.59 99.00 51.00 67.00 63.00 83.00 1.10 12.00
Maximum 18.00 21.30 132.00 89.00 101.33 79.00 98.00 1.38 16.00
Percentiles 25 15.0000 19.0158 109.0000 62.5000 80.3333 65.0000 85.5000 1.2200 13.0000
50 16.0000 19.3337 116.0000 68.0000 83.3333 71.0000 88.0000 1.3000 13.0000
75 16.0000 20.4514 117.0000 74.5000 88.3333 73.5000 93.0000 1.3400 14.0000
based on a low normal BMI range of <21.5.
37 subjects fell within the low normal BMI range.
The range of age of subjects that fell within low
normal BMI was between the ages of 14-18. The median
age was 16 which made up 40.5% of the subjects with low
normal BMI (n=37). The mean age was 15.54±1 which was
89.1% of the subjects with low normal BMI.

65
The mean BMI of the female subjects with low
normal BMI was 19.67±0.89, the maximum BMI was
21.30 and the minimum BMI was 18.59.
4.7 CHI SQUARE TEST COMPARING BODY MASS
INDEX AND AGE AT MENARCHE
Upon completion of analysis of the data, a negative
correlation between BMI and age at menarche was found.
The same was realized in all the categories and sub-
classification of BMI. This correlation was however found
not to be statistically insignificant (p>0.05) in all but one,
the normal BMI, with a high level of statistical significance
(p<0.01) found. Tables and graphs below show the
relationship between the two variables.

66
4.7.1 FOR TOTAL DATA
4.7.1.1 Correlations
TABLE 4.7.1.1-a; Descriptive Statistics
Mean Std. Deviation N
age 15.1961 1.12610 102
BMI 18.9254 2.47607 102
AGE AT MENARCHE 13.1765 1.17239 102
TABLE 4.7.1.1-b; Correlations
age BMI
AGE AT
MENARCHE
age Pearson Correlation 1 -.023 .251*
Sig. (2-tailed) .817 .011
N 102 102 102
BMI Pearson Correlation -.023 1 -.057
Sig. (2-tailed) .817 .566
N 102 102 102
AGE AT MENARCHE Pearson Correlation .251*
-.057 1
Sig. (2-tailed) .011 .566
N 102 102 102
*. Correlation is significantatthe 0.05 level (2-tailed).
4.7.1.2 Regression
TABLE 4.7.1.2-a; Variables Entered/Removedb
Model
Variables
Entered
Variables
Removed Method
1 BMIa
. Enter
a. All requested variables entered.
b. DependentVariable:AGE AT MENARCHE
TABLE 4.7.1.2-b; Model Summary
Model R R Square
Adjusted R
Square
Std. Error of the
Estimate
1 .057a
.003 -.007 1.17628
a. Predictors:(Constant),BMI

67
TABLE 4.7.1.2-c; ANOVAb
Model Sum of Squares df Mean Square F Sig.
1 Regression .459 1 .459 .332 .566a
Residual 138.365 100 1.384
Total 138.824 101
Figure 26
TABLE 4.7.1.2-d; Coefficientsa
Model
Unstandardized Coefficients
Standardized
Coefficients
t Sig.
95.0% Confidence Interval for B
B Std. Error Beta Lower Bound Upper Bound
1(Constant) 13.692 .902 15.177 .000 11.902 15.482
BMI -.027 .047 -.057 -.576 .566 -.121 .067
a. Dependent Variable:AGE AT MENARCHE

68
Figure 27
4.7.2 FOR NORMAL BMI
age 15.3333 .95166 54
BMI 20.6947 1.79176 54
AGE AT MENARCHE 13.3148 1.27122 54
age BMI
AGE AT
MENARCHE
age Pearson Correlation 1 -.188 .224
Sig. (2-tailed) .174 .104
N 54 54 54
BMI Pearson Correlation -.188 1 -.352**
Sig. (2-tailed) .174 .009
N 54 54 54
AGE AT MENARCHE Pearson Correlation .224 -.352**
1
Sig. (2-tailed) .104 .009
N 54 54 54
**. Correlation is significantatthe 0.01 level (2-tailed).

69
4.7.2.2 Regression
Model
Variables
Entered
Variables
Removed Method
1 BMIa
. Enter
Model R R Square
Adjusted R
Square
Std. Error of the
Estimate
1 .352a
.124 .107 1.20115
1 Regression 10.625 1 10.625 7.364 .009a
Residual 75.023 52 1.443
Total 85.648 53
Model
Standardized
Coefficients
t Sig.
1(Constant) 18.486 1.913 9.665 .000 14.648 22.324
BMI -.250 .092 -.352 -2.714 .009 -.435 -.065
a. DependentVariable:AGE AT MENARCHE

71
4.7.3 FOR LOW BMI
age 15.0417 1.28756 48
BMI 16.9365 1.38243 48
AGE AT MENARCHE 13.0208 1.04147 48
age BMI
AGE AT
MENARCHE
age Pearson Correlation 1 -.209 .269
Sig. (2-tailed) .154 .064
N 48 48 48
BMI Pearson Correlation -.209 1 -.037
Sig. (2-tailed) .154 .804
N 48 48 48
AGE AT MENARCHE Pearson Correlation .269 -.037 1
Sig. (2-tailed) .064 .804
N 48 48 48
4.7.3.2 Regression
Model
Variables
Entered
Variables
Removed Method
1 BMIa
. Enter
Model R R Square
Adjusted R
Square
Std. Error of the
Estimate
1 .037a
.001 -.020 1.05202

72
1 Regression .069 1 .069 .062 .804a
Residual 50.910 46 1.107
Total 50.979 47
Model
Standardized
Coefficients
t Sig.
1(Constant) 13.490 1.886 7.152 .000 9.693 17.286
BMI -.028 .111 -.037 -.249 .804 -.251 .196
Figure 30

73
Figure 31
4.7.4 FOR HIGH NORMAL
age 14.8824 .92752 17
BMI 22.9305 1.05844 17
AGE AT MENARCHE 12.8235 1.62924 17
age BMI
AGE AT
MENARCHE
age Pearson Correlation 1 .030 .068
Sig. (2-tailed) .908 .795
N 17 17 17
BMI Pearson Correlation .030 1 -.175
Sig. (2-tailed) .908 .503
N 17 17 17
Sig. (2-tailed) .795 .503
N 17 17 17

74
4.7.4.2 Regression
Model
Variables
Entered
Variables
Removed Method
1 BMIa
. Enter
Model R R Square
Adjusted R
Square
Std. Error of the
Estimate
1 .175a
.030 -.034 1.65681
1 Regression 1.295 1 1.295 .472 .503a
Residual 41.175 15 2.745
Total 42.471 16
Model
Standardized
Coefficients
t Sig.B Std. Error Beta
1 (Constant) 18.987 8.983 2.114 .052
BMI -.269 .391 -.175 -.687 .503

76
4.7.5 FOR LOW NORMAL
age 15.5405 .90045 37
BMI 19.6675 .88510 37
AGE AT MENARCHE 13.5405 1.01638 37
age BMI
AGE AT
MENARCHE
age Pearson Correlation 1 .264 .218
Sig. (2-tailed) .115 .194
N 37 37 37
BMI Pearson Correlation .264 1 -.323
Sig. (2-tailed) .115 .051
N 37 37 37
Sig. (2-tailed) .194 .051
N 37 37 37
4.7.5.2 Regression
Model
Variables
Entered
Variables
Removed Method
1 BMIa
. Enter
Model R R Square
Adjusted R
Square
Std. Error of the
Estimate
1 .323a
.104 .078 .97568

77
1 Regression 3.871 1 3.871 4.066 .051a
Residual 33.319 35 .952
Total 37.189 36
Model
Standardized
Coefficients
t Sig.
1(Constant) 20.827 3.617 5.758 .000 13.484 28.169
BMI -.370 .184 -.323 -2.016 .051 -.743 .003
Figure 34

79
CHAPTER FIVE
DISCUSSION, SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATION.
5.1 DISCUSSION AND SUMMARY
The findings from this research show that total Body
mass index has a negative correlation with age at
menarche, but it is not enough to be used as a standard
in this study population; hence it is not statistically
significant. But interestingly the findings from this
research show that normal Body mass index has a
negative correlation with age at menarche P<0.01, and it
was enough to be used as a standard in this study
population, hence it is statistically significant.
Amongst other things, the study showed statistically
significant correlations between age and hip
circumference, BMI and hip circumference, BMI and waist
circumference, BMI and MAP, MAP and hip
circumference, MAP and waist circumference, SBP and
hip circumference, SBP and waist circumference, DBP

80
and hip circumference, DBP and waist circumference,
DBP and BMI all at a P value less than 0.05.
5.2 CONCLUSION
Though the findings showed no statistical
significance in the relationship between BMI and age at
menarche, one cannot ignore the relevance of fat
distribution, body adiposity, in determining the age at
menarche as there was statistical significance in the
relationship between the normal BMI and age at
menarche.
5.3 RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the findings of this research, it is
recommended that further studies be done to determine
other factors affecting age at menarche and also to
confirm known factors that affect age at menarche. It is
also recommend that BMI of young girls be monitored so
as not set off an early age at menarche.

81
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Wyshak, G., and Frisch, R., (1982): Evidence for secular
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89
APPENDIX ONE
QUESTIONNAIRE
Dear respondents,
Your cooperation is being solicited in the filling of
this questionnaire, with the assurance that all
information provided within are confidential and strictly
for medical research and shall be treated accordingly.
Please tick (√ ) in the box your answers, and skip sectionD
SECTION A
Biodata
(1) Age…………….
(2) Gender:Female ( )
(3) Educational Status:SS1 ( ),SS2 ( ),SS3 ( )
(4) Ethnicity:Ishan( ),Benin( ), Hausa ( ),Yoruba ( ), others(specify)………..
(5) Parent’soccupation:Father……………….
Mother………………..
(6) What type of house do youlive in?Single Room( ),Self Contained( ),Flat( ),
Duplex ( ),Mansion( ).

90
SECTION B
Level of activity
(7) Means of commuting:Onfootmost times( )
Publictransportmosttimes( )
Personal car- Type of car ( )…………………………..
Droppedoff ( )
(8) Do youinvolve inanytype of sportingactivity(Exercise),Yes( ) No( )
If yes,specify………………………………………………….
(9) How oftendoyouexercise?Daily( )
Bi weekly( )
Weekly( )
Monthly( )
SECTION C
Nutritional Data
(10) Howmany timesdoyoueat a day on the average?
Once ( ),Twice ( ), Thrice ( ),More than three times( ), Notregularly( )
(11) What Fooddo youeat mostfrequently(STAPLE)?...........................
Isit your preferreddiet?.................
(12) Are youon a dietor any weightmodulator?Yes( ),No ( ).
If Yes, whattype?......................
(13) Howoftendo yougo to a foodoutlettoeat?
Daily( ), Once a week( ),Twice a week( ), Weekly( ),Monthly( )

91
(14) Can youlistthe typesof foodyouwill like toeatif takento such an outlet
……………………………………………………
……………………………………………………
……………………………………………………
(15) Do youtake alcohol?Yes( ), No( )
(16) Doesanymemberof your familyhave hypertension?Yes( ),No( ), Don’t
Know( )
(17) Isany memberof yourfamilyobese?Yes( ),No ( ),Don’t Know ( )
SECTION D
Anthropometry/Bloodpressure
(18) Weight………….…Kg
(19) Height……………..m
(20) BMI………………..
(21) Bloodpressure (a) Systolic……………(b) Diastolic………………(c) MAP
(22) Waistcircumference……………………cm
(23) Hipcircumference…………………cm
(24) Hip/Waistratio…………………..

92
SECTION E
General
(25) Do youknowyour bloodgroup?Yes( ) No( )
If yes,indicate type……………….
(26) Do youknowyour Genotype?Yes( ) No( )
If yes,indicate type……………….
(27) Atwhat age didyou experience yourfirstmenstrualperiod?...................yrs
(28) Are yousexuallyactive?Yes( ),No( ).
(29) Do youuse protection?Yes( ),No ( ).
(30) Do youuse pills?Yes( ), No( ).
(31) Do youknowaboutHIV/AIDs?Yes( ),No ( ).
(32) What causesHIV/AIDs?.......................................................
(33) Can HIV/AIDSbe cured?.........................................
(34) Howcan HIV/AIDsbe contracted?.......................................
(35) Howcan HIV/AIDsbe prevented?........................................

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