Food Choices Could Influence First Period

The following is excerpted from an online article posted by HealthDay.

In a recent study, researchers found that girls who ate more inflammatory foods were 15% more likely to get their first period in the next month. On the other hand, a healthier diet lowered the odds by 8%. The findings were published in the journal Human Reproduction.

An early first period is more than just a milestone. It’s linked to a higher risk of breast cancer, heart disease, and diabetes later in life, said study author Holly Harris, an epidemiologist at Fred Hutch Cancer Center in Seattle.

The study included more than 7,500 children ages 9 to 14 from the Growing Up Today Study. Researchers looked at their diets using two indices: one gauging how foods and nutrients predict chronic disease, and another considering how inflammatory a diet was.

“Eating a healthy diet in late childhood and early adolescence is associated with girls having a later first period compared to those consuming a less healthy diet. Importantly, this association was not explained by the impact of diet on body size,” Harris said.

Other environmental factors, like air pollution or chemicals in personal care products, may also influence when kids start puberty. Experts recommend checking databases like SkinSafeProducts.com or Skin Deep to choose safer options.

“Our findings highlight the need for all children and adolescents to have access to healthy meal options, and the importance of school-based breakfasts and lunches being based on evidence-based guidelines,” Harris said.

Source: HealthDay
https://www.healthday.com/health-news/nutrition/food-choices-could-influence-first-period-research-shows