Childhood obesity can delay puberty in boys

Added on 08/02/10

Author: Graham Pembrey

Childhood obesity levels are on the rise worldwide and fresh evidence serves to suggest that whilst obesity can have a number of obvious health implications for children, they can also delay the onset of puberty in boys. Essentially, obese children are twice as likely to be late developers.

The self esteem of overweight boys, which may already be low due to their weight, may fall even further with the delay. Watching their peers go through puberty while they wait for the process to start could prove to be a difficult emotional experience. Strangely, the new data – which comes as part of a report from the Archives of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine – contravenes previous studies among girls. These studies have shown that obese girls are likely to be way ahead of their peers, in terms of seeing the first signs of puberty.

until recently, very little has been known about the connection between obesity and puberty. However, the latest findings, published in the Archives of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine have been able to shed some light on the situation. The study looked at the health of 400 boys in America, as they grew between the ages of two and twelve. The boys were selected from a variety of regions and social and economic backgrounds.

It was found that by age eleven and a half, 14% of obese boys experienced the early symptoms of puberty at a later stage. In comparison, just 7% of those of normal weight experienced the same thing. The finding highlights the need for swift action.

If you are concerned about your children’s weight, or struggling with weight issues yourself, now is the time to act. Seeking out the advice of a trained doctor is always the best option. Exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet are the best solutions when it comes to losing weight.