ESPE Abstracts

Multiple studies have examined the relationship between BMI and timing of the onset of puberty. The more salient measure of this relationship may be adiposity, which can be represented by fat mass, BMI z-score, or waist-to-height ratio. The relationship of greater BMI or adiposity to earlier pubertal onset in girls is generally consistent, and several mechanisms have been proposed. These potential mechanisms include impact of adiposity on leptin concentrations, altered regulation of gonadotropin production, impact of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), and peripheral aromatization of adrenal androgens. The relationship of adiposity and maturation in boys is not as consistent, and a proposed model may help explain the discrepancies in the literature.