Nutritional and Genetic Determinants of Early Puberty

Abstract : Past studies suggest that early menarche, growth velocity, and specific hormonal patterns during breast development may be critical in determining risk of breast cancer later in life. Nutritional factors during childhood and puberty, and inherited genetic factors are suspected to interact in modulating these early-life exposures. However, the biological processes involved remain poorly understood. We propose to test the relationships between nutrition, genetic factors, hormonal levels and early life events contributing to breast cancer risk in a unique cohort of 323 adolescent girls of Caucasian or Asian ancestry originally recruited for the Female Adolescent Maturation (FAM) Study. These girls were studied twice, 2 years apart, for dietary intake, body size and composition, sexual maturation, growth and bone density. Data collection will be extended by conducting a third examination and obtaining blood samples for DNA genotyping and hormone analysis. A cross- sectional sample of 140 additional girls will also be recruited. Recruitment has been ongoing, as well as refining of recruitment methods. To date, 123 girls have come in for study visits and, as of May 30, twenty additional girls have been scheduled to come in at Kapiolani Clinical Research Center. Of the 123 girls, 57 are from the FAM cohort and 66 are new recruits from Kaiser. Portfolios with health education material have been sent out to those who have completed the study, and a database is being built for data entry. Questionnaires are being coded in preparation for data entry.