Specifically, information shared on social media warns about a case of a second grader (7 years old) experiencing early puberty. The post also lists foods that may contribute to early puberty in children, such as soft drinks, candies, and milk.
According to Dr. Nguyen Trong Hung, National Institute of Nutrition, the claims that sweets, soft drinks, and milk cause early puberty are inaccurate. Consuming sweet snacks and sugary drinks in moderation does not negatively impact health. For instance, while milk is generally beneficial for health, excessive consumption, especially of sugary milk, can be harmful.
Dr. Hung explains that candies, snacks, and soft drinks contain high levels of sugar. Whether children or adults, excessive sugar intake can be detrimental to health, leading to risks such as overweight, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular issues.
Image shared on social media. (Screenshot).
“Children who excessively consume sweets and soft drinks are at greater risk of being overweight or obese. Meanwhile, obesity in children (due to various factors, not just sweets) increases the likelihood of early puberty. This is why we should classify high-sugar foods as a risk factor for early puberty in children rather than a direct cause,” Dr. Hung remarked.
Additionally, exposure to harmful chemicals, a sedentary lifestyle, and a diet high in fried foods are also risk factors for early puberty.
Dr. Hung notes that the combination of fast food consumption alongside soft drinks and a lack of physical activity is contributing to the rising rates of overweight and obesity in young children. Overweight children are at risk of experiencing early puberty.
“We should evaluate the impact of early puberty in children from a broader perspective rather than pinpointing a specific food or product,” Dr. Hung advised.
Dr. Truong Hong Son, Institute of Applied Medicine, reported that according to the World Health Organization, the incidence of early puberty in children has increased 35 times compared to 10 years ago, with the onset of puberty occurring 2-3 years earlier in girls and 1-2 years earlier in boys.
Puberty is considered early if it begins before the age of 8 in girls and before 9 in boys. Some signs to detect early puberty in children include:
- In girls: Rapid weight and height increase, breast development, pubic or armpit hair growth, changes in external genitalia, onset of menstruation;
- In boys: Rapid weight and height growth, enlargement of the testicles or penis, appearance of pubic or armpit hair, acne, deepening of voice.
Experts indicate that early puberty significantly affects children’s physical development, height, health, and psychological well-being.
High sugar foods are a risk factor for early puberty in children, but not a direct cause.
Preventing Early Puberty
Dr. Son suggests that to prevent early puberty, it is essential to have a balanced diet, increase physical activity, and ensure proper rest. Specifically:
- A varied diet rich in nutrients, with plenty of fruits and vegetables while limiting processed foods such as canned goods, sausages, or those high in fats and sugars. Incorporating foods rich in quercetin can help mitigate the effects of environmental estrogens. Quercetin is abundant in citrus fruits, apples, red grapes, red onions, tomatoes, broccoli, green vegetables, green tea, and black tea.
- Increase physical activity: Encourage children to engage in at least 30 minutes of exercise daily and participate in sports.
- Sleep on time, avoid late-night activities: Staying up late reduces melatonin secretion from the pituitary gland – a hormone that inhibits the release of pituitary gonadotropin and prevents early puberty.
- Avoid items containing BPA and phthalates (plastic with recycling symbols 7 and 3).
- Limit children’s exposure to estrogen and testosterone found in creams and medications related to sex hormones.
Children should be evaluated promptly if they exhibit signs of early puberty, regardless of gender.
