Foods that increase the risk of early puberty

Consuming a lot of fast food, processed meats, and foods high in salt can disrupt the endocrine system, leading to early puberty in children.

Precocious puberty is a condition where a child's body begins to show signs of physical maturation earlier than normal (before age 8 in girls and before age 9 in boys).

According to nutritionist Do Thi Lan from the Nutrition Department of Tam Anh General Hospital in Hanoi , the rate of precocious puberty in children has been increasing in recent years, ranging from 1 in 5,000 to 1 in 10,000 children, with girls having a 10 times higher risk of precocious puberty than boys.

Early puberty in children can be caused by genetics, hormonal disorders, or problems in the central nervous system. Additionally, poor nutrition leading to rapid weight gain and obesity can alter hormones, accelerating puberty. Meanwhile, malnourished children are still at risk of early puberty due to unhealthy eating habits that disrupt the endocrine cycle.

Diet affects the composition of the gut microbiome, altering levels of the sex hormone estrogen, which can potentially influence the timing of puberty. Certain types of gut bacteria influence the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine.

These substances can affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, a key system essential for pubertal development.

Nutritionist Lan notes that some of the following foods can help shorten the time it takes for children to reach puberty.

Deep-fried foods are high in fat and can easily lead to obesity if consumed in large quantities. This condition, occurring before adolescence, can accelerate the conversion of androgens to estrogen, alter hormone sensitivity and secretion, activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, and promote puberty.

Fat accumulated in the body produces the hormone leptin, which can act on the hypothalamus to stimulate the release of gonadotropin (GnRH) – a hormone commonly present during early puberty. Foods high in saturated fat can increase the risk of insulin resistance, stimulate the ovaries to produce more estrogen, and increase the risk of early puberty in girls.

Consuming too much sugary, starchy food leads to excessive weight gain. Absorbing large amounts of carbohydrates also stimulates the production and release of insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels, which over time can lead to insulin resistance and increase the risk of early puberty.

A diet high in sugar contributes to chronic inflammation in the body, which in turn affects the function of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis.

Chronic inflammation also causes physiological stress, stimulating the adrenal glands to produce androgens—precursors of sex hormones such as testosterone and estrogen. Elevated androgen levels contribute to earlier puberty.

Eating foods high in sugar can cause children to experience early puberty. Photo: Hai Au

Foods high in salt harm the digestive system and kidneys, affect metabolism, and activate the hormone neurokinin B, which is linked to reproduction and can cause early puberty.

Fast food and processed meats mostly contain high amounts of fat, sugar, salt, artificial colors, sweeteners, flavorings, and preservatives... These affect sex hormones and trigger puberty in children.

Consuming large amounts of animal protein can increase IGF-1 levels, promoting growth and accelerating puberty. According to specialist Lan, children who consume excessive amounts of animal protein (in meat, milk, and dairy products) compared to recommendations for the 3-7 age group often experience earlier puberty. These foods are often packaged in plastic containers and may contain chemicals such as Bisphenol A (BPA) and Phthalates, which stimulate estrogen production and may be genetically modified.

Animal organs increase the risk of overweight, obesity, and diseases such as fatty liver disease, dyslipidemia, and premature puberty.

Poultry neck meat: Modern poultry such as chickens, ducks, geese, etc., are mostly fed with feed containing growth stimulants. When consumed, these substances accumulate mainly in the area from the neck to the head. Therefore, when children eat a lot of meat from these areas, these substances enter their bodies, stimulating growth and causing premature puberty.

Out-of-season fruits and vegetables may contain high levels of ripening agents and preservatives. These chemicals can cause genetic mutations, endocrine disruption, and lead to earlier puberty in children compared to their peers.

Industrially farmed fish are often fed with growth hormones. These substances accumulate in the meat and fatty tissues, and consumption can disrupt hormonal balance.

Trinh Mai

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