Obesity is blamed for rise in number of girls who hit puberty before the age of FOUR and need hospital treatment
- The number of times girls were seen at hospital for early puberty was 2,032
- This was a rise from 35 per cent from the previous year; obesity could be factor
Record numbers of young girls are hitting puberty too soon – with some as young as four – as experts blame obesity as a key factor.
New data shows the number of times girls were seen at hospital for cases of ‘precocious puberty’ increased to 2,032 last year, up from 1,510 previously.
Of these, 79 children had not even reached their fifth birthdays, NHS Digital hospital data showed.
Experts have said the 35 per cent rise could be down to obesity, as there is a ‘clear link’ between it and starting puberty too soon.
It follows an Italian medical study which pinned Covid lockdowns as a potential trigger as it saw children begin to put on weight due to not going outdoors as frequently and spending more time on the computer.
Record numbers of young girls are hitting puberty too soon – with some as young as four (stock image)
Dr Tabitha Randell, chair of the British Society for Endocrinology and Diabetes, told the Express: ‘There has been a clear link with increased levels of obesity and early puberty for many years now.
READ MORE: Girls ‘started puberty EARLIER during Covid’ as scientists blame unhealthier lifestyles in pandemic lockdowns
‘Maturing at a young age can be extremely difficult for children, who are often not emotionally ready for the physical changes that come with puberty.’
The average age for girls to begin puberty is 11 – but it is normal for it to begin at any point between the ages of eight and 13.
Early puberty is defined as when girls show signs of puberty – such as developing breasts or starting puberty – before the age of eight.
Precocious puberty can occasionally be caused by genetic factors, a problem in the brain – such as a tumour, or a problem with the ovaries or thyroid.
It can be treated by targetting the underlying cause or starting medication to control hormone levels and therefore delay the developments.
The number of boys hitting puberty early was far less common, only featuring in one in nine cases.
A study carried out by the National Child Measurement Programme with NHS Digital in 2021 revealed the largest rise in obesity rates in schoolchildren since records began.
Experts have said the 35 per cent rise in cases could be down to obesity, as there is a ‘clear link’ between it and starting puberty too soon (stock image)
The study found that obesity prevalence among four and five-year-olds in reception classes rose from 9.9 per cent in 2019-20 to 14.4 per cent in 2020-21.
What is precocious puberty in girls?
Early puberty, also called precocious puberty, is when girls have signs of puberty before the age of eight.
They may develop some signs of puberty at a young age, but not others.
For example, their period may start but they have no breast development.
Doctors don’t usually know what causes early puberty.
But it could be genetic or a problem with the brain, ovaries or thyroid gland.
A GP may recommend seeing a specialist if they think the cause should be investigated.
In some cases, doctors prescribe medication to reduce hormone levels and pause sexual development for a few years.
The proportion of all children who were either overweight or obese was 27.7 per cent in reception and 40.9 per cent in year 6.
In both age groups, obesity prevalence was higher for boys than for girls.
For reception-age children, 14.8 per cent of boys were obese compared to 14.1% of girls.
Among year 6 pupils, 29.2 per cent of boys were obese compared to 21.7 per cent of girls.
Dr Mohamad Maghnie, who led the Italian study from the University of Genoa and the Giannina Gaslini Institute in Italy, said: ‘The role of stress, social isolation, increased conflicts between parents, economic status and the increased use of hand and surface sanitisers represent potentially further interesting hypotheses as to why early puberty is increasing in youth.
‘There is an interesting evolutionary hypothesis that, when girls are very stressed, they have their period early in order to reproduce and protect the future of the species.’
Children generally enter puberty earlier than in the past because rates of obesity are higher, and carrying too much fat can disrupt the hormones which determine when a child becomes a teenager.
The first sign of puberty for girls is usually breast development, followed by their first period and getting hair in places it wasn’t before, like the armpits and pubic area. Acne and body odor can also happen.
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