Published in Human Reproduction, a recent study examined the dietary habits and health factors of 7,530 participants from the Growing Up Today Study. This ongoing research aims to understand various factors that influence health throughout a person's lifetime. Participants enrolled between 1996 and 2004 were asked to complete questionnaires that covered a range of topics, including their diet, physical activity, general health, family history, demographic details, and the age at which they experienced their first menstrual period.
Researchers used two specific rubrics to evaluate the participants’ diets: the Alternative Healthy Eating Index and the Empirical Dietary Inflammatory Pattern. The Alternative Healthy Eating Index scores participants based on their adherence to a healthy diet, while the Empirical Dietary Inflammatory Pattern identifies dietary habits linked to inflammation. Diets classified as potentially inflammatory typically include higher amounts of processed foods, sugary beverages like soda and juice, and red meat.
An impressive 93 percent of participants reported starting their periods during the study, with a median age of 13.1 years. However, the age of menarche varied significantly among participants depending on their dietary choices. The findings indicated that a healthier diet was associated with a later onset of menarche. Specifically, those who adhered to the healthiest dietary patterns were found to be 8 percent less likely to begin menstruating in the following month compared to their counterparts.
The researchers noted that the association between diet and age at menarche persisted even after adjusting for factors such as body mass index (BMI), height, and neighborhood socioeconomic status. This suggests that the effects of diet on the timing of menarche may be influenced by its impact on sex hormones, which could be “at least partially independent” of body size or height. According to Holly Harris, an associate professor at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and lead author of the study, “Importantly, these results were independent of BMI and height, demonstrating the importance of a healthy diet regardless of body size.”
This study highlights the critical nature of dietary habits during adolescence. As an earlier age at menarche is linked to multiple health issues later in life—such as an increased risk of diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and breast cancer—this period presents a vital opportunity to mitigate the risk of these chronic diseases. The findings echo concerns raised by a 2020 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which noted a decline in the average age at first menstrual period in the United States, from 12.1 years in 1995 to 11.9 years in 2017.
In conclusion, this research underscores the importance of a nutritious diet during adolescence and its potential impact on the timing of menarche and long-term health outcomes. By promoting healthy eating habits, parents and caregivers can play a crucial role in influencing the health trajectory of young women.
