Evaluation of nutritional status and appetite-related parameters in girls diagnosed with premature thelarche

In recent years, the decline in the average age of puberty has important public health, clinical, and social implications. The aim of the present study is to determine the nutritional status and appetite-related peptids in girls diagnosed with premature thelarche. Forty-four girls aged 4- 8 years who were diagnosed with premature thelarche (PT) and thirty-three age-matched healthy controls were included in the study. The participant's general characteristics, physical activity, and eating habits were asked by using a questionnaire. Dietary intake of participants were assessed using a 24-hour recall and food frequency questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements and bioelectrical impedance analysis of the participants were taken and blood samples were collected. At the end of the study; It was determined that the PT group more often tended to purchase food from school canteen (p< 0.05). Bodyweight, height, body mass index, body fat mass, lean body mass, lean body mass index, upper mid-arm circumference, and basal metabolic rate of PT group was higher than control group (p< 0.05). Daily consumption of dairy and fat group were significantly higher in PT group (p< 0.05). Daily intake of energy (kcal), carbohydrate, protein, and fat were statistically higher in the PT group compared with the control group (p<0.01). Serum leptin (p<0.001), nesfatin-1 (p=0.001), and orxein A (p<0.001) levels were significantly higher in PT and group. However, there were no differences between the groups for serum ghrelin levels (p>0.05). The results of this study indicate that excessive dietary energy intake and obesity are likely to effect on PT pathogenesis and pubertal development. Furthermore, our findings suggest that nesaftin-1 and orexin A levels may have a similar effect of leptin in the initiation of puberty. For calrifying the role of nutrition on puberty further prospective and large-scale studies are needed. Also, future studies are recommended to examine the relationship between nesfatin-1 and orexin A levels with the age of onset of puberty.