Contribution of Fast Food Consumption on Incidence
Early Puberty Among Adolescent Girls
Azrimaidaliza
1
, Rauza Sukma Rita
2
, Fitri Nia
3
{azrimaidaliza@ph.unand.ac.id
1
, rauzasukmarita@med.unand.ac.id
2
, fitrinia25@gmail.com
3
}
Nutrition Department, Andalas University, Padang, West Sumatera, 25127, Indonesia
Abstract. The age at menarche is varied among adolescent girls. Early puberty is at
increased risk of a physical and psychosocial problem. The objective of the study was to
determine the association of fast food consumption with early puberty among adolescent
girls.A cross-sectional design was used to conduct the study with total samples of 159
adolescents girls. Primary data were obtained by interviews using the standardized
questionnaires. Statistical analysis was described by univariate and bivariate analysis. The
incidence of early puberty was 23,3% with the average of age at menarche was 12,6±0,70
years old. There was a significant association of age at menarche with protein intake (p-
value=0,0001), fat intake (p-value=0,0001) and fast food frequency (p=0,0001).
Adolescents girl who consumed fat and protein from fast food more than 30% and had a
frequency of fast food more than 8 times a week with 3-4 types of fast food might be at
risk to increase of early puberty. The age at menarche is associated with protein and fat of
fast food consumption, besides the role of frequency of fast food. Balanced diet was needed
to maintain adolescent girls health.
Keywords: Adolescents Girls, Fast Food Consumption, Frequency, Age at Menarche.
1 Introduction
Nutritional needs during adolescence are increased because of the increased growth rate
and changes in body composition associated with puberty [1]. Early puberty among girls is
associated with the risk of anemia in the short term and increasing of the risk of degenerative
disease in the long term, including breast, ovarian and endometrial cancers, type 2 diabetes,
hypertension and cardiovascular disease [2], also facing the psychosocial problems [3] than
average puberty. Based on a national survey in Indonesia year 2010, half of girls teenager have
experienced menarche at age 12 years old.
Early puberty was described as early sexual maturation [4]. However, many factors have
been proved to be associated with early puberty among adolescent girls, namely nutritional
status [5], nutrient intake, hormonal, exposure of mass media and lifestyle, such as fast food
consumption [6]. Many factors influence the consumption of fast foods. The ease of availability
and purchase is one among them [7].
There was not much data about the dietary pattern which was linked with fast food habits
among adolescent girl and early puberty in Western Province in Indonesia. The objective of the
study was to determine the association of fast food consumption with early puberty among
adolescent girls.
ICOMHER 2018, November 13-14, Padang, West Sumatera, Indonesia
Copyright © 2019 EAI
DOI 10.4108/eai.13-11-2018.2283531