PA'ITERN OF PUBERTY IN ATHELETIC EGYPTIAN FEMALES AND ITS RELATION TO THEIR NUTRITIONAL STATUS

Abstract

As physical activity and nutrition status have particular impact on the onset and maintenance of puberty, the pattern of puberty in Egyptian female was studied stressing upon these two factors.

A cross sectional study was conducted on 83 Egyptian athletic females aged 9-15 years old. They were collected from El Ahly Club, El Tayeran Club and Gezira Youth Center.

Fifty nine school girls had the same age and the same socioeconomic status were examined as a controls.

The studied groups had undergone complee clinical examination. Relevant anthropometric measurement were done including; weight height, mid arm circumference, triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness. Body mass index (BMI), percent body fat mass (PBFM) and body fat mass index (BFMI), were calculated. Questionnaires included the types, regularity and duration of sport were collected for each girls. The different game included were; Basket ball, hand ball and gymnastics. Tanner classification and the determination of the mean age of menarche were performed. Dietary survey were done using twenty four hour recall method aiming to identify and estimate the average daily food intake of all participant. Then the mean nutrients intake were calculated including;