Age at menarche and women wellbeing in Valparaíso, Chile (1851-1895): an historic anthropometric analysis
Abstract
Menarche marks the beginning of female reproductive cycle and constitutes an important milestone of female growth. Age at menarche varies according to genetic and socio-environmental factors, so it stands as an interesting indicator of biological wellbeing of the population. Based on an initial sample of 445 women from Valparaiso, born in 1851-1895, we examine the impact of socio-environmental factors on age of menarche in a historical context characterized by a strong GDP growth and intense, although uneven, urban development. Although results indicate a tendency for menarche to present itself at increasingly younger ages, this tendency is not statistically significant (p > .05). Factors like rural/urban origin, size of the household and intra-household stress do not seem to affect age of menarche in the sample, characterized by a low socio-economic status. Urban penalty phenomena, typical of early processes of modernization, could be partially explaining the results obtained.
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References
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