Obesity is blamed for rise in number of girls who hit puberty before the age of FOUR and need hospital treatment

Record numbers of young girls are entering puberty too early – some as young as four years old – as experts see obesity as a key factor.

New data shows the number of times girls were seen in hospital for cases of ‘premature puberty’ rose to 2,032 last year, up from 1,510 previously.

Of these, 79 children had not even reached their fifth birthday, hospital data from NHS Digital showed.

Experts have said the 35 per cent increase could be due to obesity as there is a ‘clear link’ between this and the early onset of puberty.

It follows an Italian medical study that identified Covid lockdowns as a possible trigger, as children started gaining weight due to not going outside as much and spending more time on computers.

Dr. Tabitha Randell, president 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 years.

‘Coming of age 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 start puberty is 11 years old, but it is normal for it to start anywhere between the ages of 8 and 13.

Early puberty is defined as when girls show signs of puberty before the age of eight, such as developing breasts or starting puberty.

Premature puberty can sometimes be caused by genetic factors, a problem in the brain such as a tumor, or a problem with the ovaries or thyroid.

It can be treated by addressing the underlying cause or by starting medication to control hormone levels and thereby slow developments.

The number of boys entering puberty early was much less common, occurring in only one in nine cases.

A survey carried out in partnership with NHS Digital by the National Child Measurement Program in 2021 found the biggest increase in obesity rates among schoolchildren since records began.

Experts have said the 35 per cent rise in cases could be due to obesity as there is a ‘clear link’ between this and the early onset of puberty (stock image)

The research shows that the prevalence of obesity among four- and five-year-olds in reception classes has risen from 9.9 per cent in 2019-20 to 14.4 per cent in 2020-21.

The proportion of all children who were overweight or obese was 27.7 percent in Reception and 40.9 percent in Year 6.

In both age groups, the prevalence of obesity was higher in boys than in girls.

Among reception-age children, 14.8 percent of boys were obese, compared to 14.1 percent of girls.

Among year 6 students, 29.2 percent of boys were obese, compared to 21.7 percent of girls.

Dr. Mohamad Maghnie, who led the Italian research at the University of Genoa and the Giannina Gaslini Institute in Italy, said: ‘The role of stress, social isolation, increased conflict between parents, economic status and the increased use of hand and surface disinfectants represent potential further interesting hypotheses about why early puberty increases in youth.

“There’s an interesting evolutionary hypothesis that when girls are very stressed, they get their periods early so they can reproduce and protect the future of the species.”

Children generally enter puberty earlier than in the past because obesity rates are higher, and carrying too much fat can disrupt the hormones that determine when a child becomes a teenager.

The first sign of puberty in girls is usually the development of breasts, followed by the first menstruation and growing hair in places where it was not before, such as the armpits and pubic area. Acne and body odor can also occur.