Are kids really going through puberty earlier these days? Are hormones in foods actually causing a problem? What foods should I avoid to keep my kids on track hormonally?
Puberty has shifted earlier than in previous generations. The etiology of this appears to be secondary to the obesity epidemic as well as exposures to endocrine disruptors in the environment around us. In the past three decades, the prevalence of obesity has more than doubled in children and tripled in adolescents. A staggering 20% of children and adolescents are now considered obese. A hormone called leptin, produced by fat cells can signal to the brain to begin pubertal changes earlier than expected. When puberty occurs early, the growth plates are faster to close, and this leads to a reduction in expected adult height.
Endocrine disruptors can be lurking in plastics, cleaning products, foods, and pesticides. These substances are interpreted by our body as estrogens, which may disrupt hormonal balance. Ensuring balanced nutrition and an active lifestyle will prevent your children from becoming overweight and will enable them to reach their full height potential.
