Causes of Premature Puberty: Precocious puberty, or early puberty, occurs when children start developing adult physical traits prematurely, typically before age eight in girls and nine in boys.
It is marked by the early onset of secondary sexual characteristics like breast growth and pubic hair.
This condition is often linked to underlying health issues and can lead to long-term effects such as mental and behavioral disorders, certain cancers, and stunted growth.
What is Precocious Puberty?
Traditionally, puberty in girls begins between the ages of 11 and 13. It starts with the development of body hair in the armpits and genital area, breast buds, possible acne, a growth spurt, and eventually menstruation, which typically starts between ages 12 and 14.
However, we are now seeing cases where puberty begins in children as young as 5 or 6 years old. This early onset of puberty can be concerning for both emotional and physical reasons.
Treatment Options
One common approach involves the use of synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). This treatment either comes as injections or implants, which help to stop the pituitary gland from producing the hormones that trigger puberty.
While this approach can effectively delay puberty, it’s important to address the root causes of precocious puberty as well.
Causes of Premature Puberty in Children
The incidence of premature puberty in children has significantly increased in recent years, sparking concerns about long-term health implications.
A 2017 report by the National Health Insurance Service revealed that around 95,000 children experienced early puberty, a 42.3% rise from 2013.
This condition has been linked to mental and behavioral disorders, certain cancers, and stunted growth. While boys are experiencing this more frequently, nine out of ten affected children are girls.
Contributing factors include increased pollution and a shift towards high-fat Western diets, both of which can elevate estrogen levels.
Experts recommend reducing plastic use and fast-food consumption to mitigate risks.
What Parents Need to Know
Experts have noted a significant shift, particularly in young girls, where puberty, which typically began around the age of 13, is now occurring as early as eight or nine years old. In many cases, it can even occur at a younger age.
Parents can help mitigate premature puberty in their children by being mindful of these factors from an early age.
Managing Diet to Prevent Precocious Puberty
Limit Dairy and Meat: Reducing the amount of dairy and meat in your child’s diet is crucial, as these foods often contain hormones that can disrupt the endocrine system. Consuming high levels of these hormones may contribute to early onset puberty.
Reduce Sugar and Aspartame: It’s important to limit your child’s intake of high fructose corn syrup, sodas, and diet sweeteners. These sugary and artificial substances can act as endocrine disruptors, potentially triggering premature puberty.
Balanced Diet: One of the primary triggers of early puberty is an imbalanced diet, including overeating or consuming foods that surpass the body’s nutritional needs.
Excessive body fat accumulation, often due to overfeeding under the guise of maintaining health, can lead to premature puberty.
In some cases, overeating in a single sitting, especially in underprivileged communities with uncertain access to future meals, can have lasting negative effects.
Impact of Junk Food: Junk food, soda, and commercially prepared juices significantly contribute to premature puberty.
Experts suggest that eliminating these items from a child’s diet could alleviate many related issues. Opting for freshly squeezed juice from natural fruits at home is a healthier alternative to boxed juices.
Food Supplements and Excess Vitamins: While essential nutrients like calcium, vitamins, proteins, and carbohydrates are crucial for a child’s growth, excessive intake or premature consumption of food supplements can lead to early physical development and trigger puberty hormones.
Use of Plastic Products
The widespread use of plastic products, from kitchens to schools and offices, has detrimental effects on health.
The constant exposure to plastics, which has become an integral part of our lives, negatively impacts children’s health and has been identified as a significant factor in premature puberty.
Mental Stress
Mental stress in children can lead to feelings of insecurity, prompting the body to mature faster than usual. This can accelerate the production of puberty hormones, leading to early puberty.
Parents Role in Premature Puberty in Children
Parental Conflict: Frequent fighting between parents can create mental stress and insecurity in children, which may trigger early puberty. Resolving conflicts away from children is crucial.
Distant Fathers: An emotionally unavailable father can affect daughters and contribute to premature puberty. Healthy sibling relationships also help reduce stress.
Non-Parental Guardianship: Children raised by non-parental guardians or through separation may feel isolated, potentially leading to early puberty.
Working Mothers: A working mother’s absence can create emotional gaps, affecting child development and potentially leading to early puberty.
Home Confinement
Post-COVID, many complaints arose about children being confined to their homes, affecting their educational and recreational activities. This confinement has been identified as a significant cause of premature puberty.
Traumatic Childhood Events
Emotional or physical trauma during childhood, which induces severe fear, can remain imprinted on a child’s mind, causing stress and contributing to premature puberty.
Conclusion
Precocious puberty is a complex issue influenced by a range of factors, including diet and environmental exposures.
By making informed choices about your child’s diet and seeking medical advice when needed, you can help manage and potentially mitigate the effects of early puberty.
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