Nutritional recommendations against early puberty

Dietician Ruken Kuzu reminded that obesity and exposure to endocrine disruptors pose a risk of early puberty.

Nutrition and Diet Expert Ruken Kuzu drew attention to the importance of nutrition in decreasing the age of puberty. Reminding that puberty begins at the ages of 10-12 in girls and 11-14 in boys and continues until the age of 18, Kuzu spoke as follows:

"If puberty starts before the age of 8 in girls and 9 in boys, this is early puberty. And studies show that early puberty is increasing in our country as well as all over the world. The reasons are especially the change in nutrition and living conditions, as well as excessive weight gain and increased exposure to endocrine disruptors. Parents have a say in the nutrition of their children when they are babies and are very meticulous. However, once they are out of infancy, children's eating habits change, no matter how much effort parents put in, preferences change in school and in their circle of friends. More fast food, more packaged food. Increased dependence on technology, almost no physical activity, cause children to gain weight more easily. Being overweight can lead to delayed puberty in boys and early puberty in girls. Of course, the fat cells in childhood are a sign of possible obesity in adulthood. It is necessary to make children aware that healthy nutrition during adolescence is also beneficial for adulthood."

Foods that can cause early puberty

Dietician Kuzu listed the foods that can cause early puberty in children as; refined sugar and all foods containing refined sugar, packaged foods, foods such as corn and soy containing GMOs and packaged foods containing them, vegetables and fruits with hormones and pesticides that are not consumed in season, refined flour and refined flour products, and fast food style foods.

Healthy children, healthy future

On the other hand, Ruken Kuzu emphasized that parents have a great responsibility for the healthy growth and physical and mental development of their children. She made the following recommendations to parents:

"We should encourage our children to consume fresh and seasonal vegetables and fruits. We should definitely take care to feed them homemade yogurt. As for protein, we should adopt a nutritional pattern where fish is accompanied by chicken, meatballs, red and white meat at least twice a week and is distributed in a balanced way. We should support protein group nutrients with whole grain foods and vegetables. We should not bring packaged foods into our homes. We should increase the consumption of nuts such as hazelnuts, almonds and walnuts instead of junk food. Parents have a big responsibility as role models here. If you are consuming, your child will take you as a role model. Regular breakfast and dinner should definitely be meals where the family eats together, we should help children gain healthy and positive eating habits. We should also direct our children to exercise. Maybe even if it is nothing to accompany a physical activity or sports branch to be done within the school, going out for a walk with family members, playing games with the child inside the house while keeping them away from the tablet, computer or mobile phone at home are steps that can be taken for their health. In children who eat healthily, start to lose weight and move away from the obesity threshold, even if the signs of early puberty have started, they can slow down and often enter puberty at an age range that is considered normal."