A recent study suggests that girls who have a healthier diet growing up may have a lower likelihood of experiencing their first menstrual periods at an early age, regardless of their height or body mass index. While previous research has connected height and BMI to early menarche, this new study, published in the journal Human Reproduction, claims to be the first to investigate the relationship between specific diets and this biological milestone.
Puberty typically begins for girls between the ages of 8 and 13, marked by acne, growth spurts, breast development, and the growth of body and pubic hair. The onset of menarche usually occurs approximately two years after breast development begins. Although precocious puberty is rare, affecting only 1% of children in the U.S., girls nationwide are experiencing their first periods at younger ages. The median age at menarche was 11.9 between 2013 and 2017, down from 12.1 in 1995, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.
Early menarche poses more risks than just premature sexual maturity. Girls who start menstruating earlier than average are at a higher risk of various health issues during adolescence, such as depression, substance abuse, and eating disorders. In adulthood, they have increased chances of developing conditions like breast cancer, heart disease, and obesity.
To investigate how diet influences the age of a girl’s first period, researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center analyzed the health records of over 7,500 children aged 9 to 14 who participated in two phases of the Growing Up Today Study from 1996 to 2001 and 2004 to 2008. The participants completed questionnaires about their dietary habits, which were evaluated using two scales. One scale assessed the overall healthiness of their diet, emphasizing nutritious foods like legumes, whole grains, and vegetables while penalizing less healthy options such as red meat and foods high in salt and trans fats. The second scale focused on the inflammatory potential of their diets, with foods like refined grains, high-calorie drinks, and red or processed meat being considered more inflammatory.
The study found that the median age of the participants’ first periods was 13.1 years. Girls with the healthiest diets were predicted to reach menarche at a slightly older age compared to those with less healthy diets. Similarly, girls consuming higher amounts of inflammatory foods tended to experience their first periods at a slightly younger age.
It is important to note that this study is observational and does not establish a cause-and-effect relationship between diet and early menarche. One significant limitation is that the majority of participants were white, while race and ethnicity are known factors in early menarche, with Black and Hispanic girls being more susceptible.
The authors suggest that the link between diet and age at first period may be due to the influence of food on sex hormone levels in the body. Previous research on premenopausal women has shown that a healthy diet is associated
Research has demonstrated that excess fat can impact sex hormone levels. According to Erin Hennessy, director of the ChildObesity180 program at Tufts University, adipose tissue influences hormone pathways that regulate puberty. Hennessy explains that adipose tissue produces hormones like leptin, which can trigger early puberty in children with excess weight by signaling the brain. Adipose tissue can also affect sex hormones, leading to higher estrogen levels that promote breast development and the onset of menarche.
While diet is not the sole determinant of the timing of a girl’s first period, factors such as genetics, environmental toxins, physical activity, and socioeconomic status also play roles. Hennessy advises parents to support their children’s health through a comprehensive approach that includes healthy eating, family involvement, and positive role modeling. She recommends following the USDA’s MyPlate program for dietary guidelines for children at different stages of development, focusing on food variety and balance.
Dr. Rachel Whooten, a pediatric endocrinologist at Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, emphasizes that puberty is an opportunity for positive health changes in preteens. She suggests optimizing nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and reducing screen time to establish healthy habits that can benefit adolescents in the long term.
