Authors : Dr. Vijaiyalakshmi Praveen; Dr. Harshana Devi; Dr. Induja S.; Dr. Pavithra K.; Dr. Arun Murugan

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 4 - April

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/473us6c5

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/bddhtbkh

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26apr2104

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : Background The term puberty can be described as the stage during which an individual reaches his/her sexual maturity. Alternatively, the term menarche refers to the age during which women undergo their first menstrual cycle. In India, the average age at which women have their first menstruation is 13.76 years. Very early menarche, especially those who have menarche before 11 years, leads to numerous ailments including breast cancer, Type 2 diabetes, depression, metabolic syndrome, and psychosocial diseases. Consumption of sweet beverages is one of the risk factors for menarche. Nonetheless, there is no study conducted on the relationship between consumption of sweet beverages and menarche among girls in south India.  Objective To determine the prevalence rate of very early menarche (<11 years) among the government school-going females aged 8-16 years in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, as well as the different factors leading to menarche.  Methods An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out in January 2023-March 2023 among 361 government school girls within the age group of 8-16 years in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Convenience sampling was done for schools while simple random sampling was employed to select study subjects. Data on beverage consumption, physical activity, sleeping patterns, and food preferences were obtained through a valid semi-structured questionnaire. Chi-square test was performed for bivariate analysis.

Keywords : Very Early Menarche; Early Menarche; Sugar-Sweetened Drinks; Eating Practices; Lifestyle Variables; Teenage Wellbeing; Chennai; Cross-Sectional Survey.

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