13-05-2025
Your child's diet could influence when periods begin
The food you eat during childhood could influence when a girl experiences her first period, according to researchers from the University of to the new study, published in the journal Human Reproduction, diets high in inflammatory foods may lead to an earlier onset of menstruation, which in turn is linked to higher risks of chronic diseases in study found that eating healthier foods was linked to a later start of menstruation, while eating more unhealthy, inflammatory foods was linked to an earlier start, no matter the child's weight or
Since getting your period earlier can increase the risk of health problems like diabetes, heart disease, and breast cancer later in life, making better food choices during childhood could help reduce these found that girls who consumed more inflammatory foods, such as red and processed meats, refined grains, and sugary drinks, had a 15% greater chance of getting their first period in the following month.
Since getting your period earlier can increase the risk of health problems like diabetes, heart disease, and breast cancer later in life, making better food choices during childhood could help reduce these risks. ()
advertisementIn contrast, those who ate healthier diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, nuts, and legumes had an 8% lower risk."An early first period is not just a milestone, it's a signal for potential long-term health issues like breast cancer, heart disease, and diabetes,' said senior study author Dr. Holly Harris, associate professor of epidemiology at Fred Hutch Cancer Center in study analysed data from over 7,500 children aged 9 to 14 who were part of the Growing Up Today Study (GUTS). Researchers tracked dietary patterns and the age at which menstruation began using two indices: the Alternative Healthy Eating Index and the Empirical Dietary Inflammatory body fat has long been thought to play a central role in triggering early puberty, the study found that the link between diet and early menstruation persisted even after adjusting for body mass index (BMI).
While body fat has long been thought to play a central role in triggering early puberty, the study found that the link between diet and early menstruation persisted even after adjusting for body mass index. ()
This suggests that other aspects of a poor diet, such as its inflammatory nature, could be driving early hormonal factors may also contribute. Previous research points to air pollution and certain personal care products containing endocrine-disrupting chemicals as possible influences on early help reduce risks, the researchers recommended providing children with access to healthier meals, especially through school Reel
