Early Puberty Gives Rise To Obesity

Tuesday, July 27, 2010, 16:37

Obesity has always been the problem for many of the teenagers of today and this has definitely played a vital role in their change of lifestyle. According to an analysis many as of 100 studies has revealed that overweight girls tend to reach puberty earlier than their fellow peers.

Researchers have argued that hitting puberty earlier in life makes a person prone metabolic syndrome and diabetes,but such diseases are not linked to early puberty , but to that of obesity as said by Emily Walvoord.

Walvoord, of Indiana University School of Medicine says that, “ Early puberty is one of the many outcomes of obesity." Other than that of early puberty , some of the other reasons are that in childhood obesity is a growing epidemic, she suggested other factors include a possible increase in hormone-disrupting chemicals in the environment and more chronic stress in children"s homes. She added that, “ There are clearly other factors we don"t understand that have affected the timing."

Due to this there are psychological impacts that effect the teens and many questions exist to remain unanswered and the long term effect on adolescents is still unclear. In regard to the physical aspects , she had stated that there could also be an experience of negative body image , depression and other mental disorders.

By these studies Emily says, “It"s very hard really to scientifically scrutinize the timing of puberty just by looking at these studies." Jane Mendel of University Of Oregon had said that girls who mature earlier tend to land in social situations they are not psychologically prepared to handle. Because of that, they might develop psychological issues during puberty. She added that , “ Whether or not that knowledge has been translated in the way it could or should be to the general population, I"m not sure."

These findings were published in the Journal Of Adolescent Health and lastly Jane states that those in her field know the psychological effects of early puberty well.