09/10/2025
Did you know nutrition is one of the most important factors shaping puberty and growth in our children?
Here are a few key facts from research:
📈 Nutrition affects the timing of puberty. Children who eat more processed, high-fat foods or are overweight are more likely to enter puberty earlier - especially girls. In boys, poor nutrition can sometimes delay puberty.
🍎 Balanced diets matter. During puberty, children’s bodies need extra calories, protein, iron, calcium, zinc, and folate to keep up with rapid growth. Without these, growth can be delayed and overall health can be affected.
⚖️ Both under-nutrition and over-nutrition are risks. Not eating enough can delay puberty, while overeating the wrong foods can push it earlier than normal.
😴 Sleep, hormones, and growth are linked. Puberty triggers growth spurts that demand proper nutrition and rest - when either is missing, development can be disrupted.
The takeaway? Our children’s nutrition isn’t just about keeping them full - we want to provide the right building blocks at the right time.
Supporting balanced, healthy diets during childhood and adolescence is essential for growth, hormones, and long-term well-being.
Read more here: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4266867/
👉 Share this post with another parent - because understanding how nutrition shapes puberty could make a real difference in our children’s health.