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Cited by 300Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormonesHuman Health and DiseaseAdolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health

Pubertal development in Danish children: comparison of recent European and US data

JUUL, A., TEILMANN, G., SCHEIKE, T., HERTEL, N. T., HOLM, K., LAURSEN, E. M., MAIN, K. M., SKAKKEBÆK, N. E.·2006·International Journal of Andrology
DOI 10.1111/j.1365-2605.2005.00556.x
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Abstract

Two recent epidemiological studies (PROS and NHANES III) from the USA noted earlier sexual maturation in girls, leading to increased attention internationally to the age at onset of puberty. We studied the timing of puberty in a large cohort of healthy Danish children in order to evaluate differences between USA and Denmark, as well as to look for possible secular trends in pubertal development. Healthy Caucasian children from public schools in Denmark participated in the study which was carried out in 1991-1993. A total number of 826 boys and 1,100 girls (aged 6.0-19.9 years) were included, and pubertal stages were assessed by clinical examination according to methods of Tanner. In boys testicular volume was determined using an orchidometer. We found that age at breast development 2 (B2) was 10.88 years, and mean menarcheal age was 13.42 years. Girls with body mass index (BMI) above the median had significantly earlier puberty (age at B2 10.42 years) compared with girls with BMI below the median (age at B2 11.24 years, p < 0.0001). Similarly, menarcheal age was significantly lower in girls with BMI above the median compared with girls with BMI below the median (13.12 vs. 13.70 years, p = 0.0012). In Danish boys we found that age at genital stage 2 (G2) was 11.83 years. Both sexes were significantly taller compared with data from 1964, but timing of pubertal maturation seemed unaltered. Finally, puberty occurred much later in Denmark compared with recent data from USA. We could not detect any downwards secular trend in the timing of puberty in Denmark between 1964 and 1991-1993 as seen in the US. Obesity certainly plays a role in the timing of puberty, but the marked differences between Denmark and USA cannot be attributed exclusively to differences in BMI. A possible role of other factors like genetic polymorphisms, nutrition, physical activity or endocrine disrupting chemicals must therefore also be considered. Therefore, we believe it is crucial to monitor the pubertal development closely in Denmark in the coming decades.

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  • Two European studies in which careful physical examination was used to ascertain breast development showed no substantial advance in age of puberty onset.

    “By contrast, two European studies in which careful physical examination was used to ascertain breast development showed no substantial advance in age of puberty onset.24,25”

    From Pubertal development and regulation (2016) · cites this paper as [25]

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Authors
JUUL, A., TEILMANN, G., SCHEIKE, T., HERTEL, N. T., HOLM, K., LAURSEN, E. M., MAIN, K. M., & SKAKKEBÆK, N. E.
Affiliations
University of Copenhagen (DK)
Corresponding author
JUUL, A.
ORCID
Venue
International Journal of Andrology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2006-02
Volume
29
Issue
1
Pages
247-255
ISSN
  • 0105-6263 (ISSN-L)
  • 1365-2605
DOI
10.1111/j.1365-2605.2005.00556.x
OpenAlex
W2005838348
Cited by
300
References
49
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 22 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 19 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 14 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 23
FWCI
13.68
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
  • International Journal of Andrology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research at the University of Copenhagen (University of Copenhagen) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Human Health and Disease
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
Keywords
pubertal timing, puberty onset, secular trends, breast development, menarche, body mass index, childhood obesity, Danish children, Tanner stages, testicular volume
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Body Height, Body Weight, Child, Denmark, Europe, Female, Humans, Male, Menarche, Puberty, Reference Standards, Retrospective Studies, Sexual Maturation, United States, Urban Population, Cohort Studies, Body Mass Index, White People

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