Childhood Obesity May Lead to Early Puberty In Girls

The results of a recent study, published in this month's journal Pediatrics, shows that girls who were overweight (by measurement of their Body Mass Index) as toddlers were more likely to start puberty prior to the age of 10, the "normal" accepted age at which puberty begins.  168 of the 354 girls they followed showed signs of puberty at age 9, and most of these girls had elevated BMIs.  It is yet unclear as to how childhood obesity is linked with early puberty.  One theory is that the onset of puberty is, in part, triggered by leptin, which is produced by fat cells.  (Link to Article Here)