This research was published in the British Medical Journal.
Due to various changes in lifestyle and food habits these days, girls are hitting puberty at the age of 10 and 11.
When girls hit puberty, they begin to menstruate. Earlier, girls used to reach puberty between the ages of 14 and 17. Now, due to various changes in lifestyle and food habits, girls have begun to reach puberty at the age of 10 and 11. As per recent studies, it has been found that starting to menstruate before the age of 13 is linked to developing diabetes later in life. Research published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) Nutrition Prevention and Health has found risk of developing type two diabetes in midlife among those who begin to menstruate before 13 years of age. The research results were found based on data collected from more than 17,000 women from the age range of 20 to 65.
Getting the first menstrual cycle in an early life indicates cardiometabolic disease trajectory in women. Among these, about 10% were diagnosed with type two diabetes, while 11.5% of women reported some or the other kind of cardiovascular disease. The research found that menstruating before 10 doubled the risk of stroke amongst women below the age of 65 with diabetes. The risk calculated is 81 percent for those who begin to menstruate at the age of 11, 32 percent for the age of 12 and 15 percent for the age of 14.
The researchers explained that one of the causes can be that women are exposed to oestrogen for a longer duration. Early menstruation cycle means higher oestrogen levels in the body. Another contributing factor can be weight. These results can help in incorporating strategies to prevent diabetes or health complications early on.
How can you help your adolescent child?
– Exercise
Your adolescent child needs to indulge in physical activities like yoga, pilates, gym, outdoor sports like badminton, swimming, tennis or something as simple as walking and jogging.
– Diet
Right from the beginning, make sure that your child eats a healthy and balanced diet. Make sure to include lots of greens, proteins and other essential nutrients in the diet. Try to avoid deep-fried, oil and junk food.
– Supplements
If there is any kind of deficiency in the body of your teenage child, then the doctor will recommend supplements to provide all kinds of nutrients to the body.
– Lifestyle changes
Make sure your child sleeps on time and does not stay awake overnight. Sleeping on time and waking up on time are equally important for health and may help in hormonal balance as well.
