Getting the right nutrients in childhood may reduce the risk of early menstruation, study shows

CNN - May 6th, 2025

New research suggests that diets high in inflammatory foods may increase the likelihood of children experiencing their first menstrual cycle earlier. The study, published in the journal Human Reproduction, found that an inflammatory diet was associated with a 15% greater chance of early menstruation, while healthier diets reduced the risk by 8%. Dr. Holly Harris from Fred Hutch Cancer Center highlighted the importance of diet, independent of body size, in influencing the timing of menstruation, which is linked to chronic diseases like breast cancer and diabetes later in life.

The study utilized data from over 7,500 children aged 9 to 14 from the Growing Up Today Study. Researchers evaluated diets using indices that predict chronic disease and inflammation potential, finding that unhealthy diets might contribute to early menstruation through mechanisms beyond obesity. The findings underscore the need for healthy dietary options for children, emphasizing the role of school-based meal programs. While environmental factors like endocrine-disrupting chemicals also play a role, promoting healthy eating habits is a tangible step parents can take to reduce health risks for their children.

Chronic Diseases Childhood Obesity Early Menstruation Inflammatory Diet Holly Harris Fred Hutch Cancer Center Growing Up Today Study

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RATING

6.8

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a well-structured and timely discussion on the relationship between diet and early menstruation, supported by credible expert opinions. However, it lacks detailed methodological transparency and a balanced exploration of alternative perspectives, which affects its overall accuracy and balance. While the topic is of significant public interest and has the potential to influence dietary practices and policy discussions, the article's immediate impact may be limited by its focus on a single study without broader contextualization. The readability and clarity are strong, making it accessible to a wide audience, but the lack of interactive or engaging elements may limit reader engagement.

Accuracy

The article presents a study suggesting a link between diet and early menstruation, citing specific statistics such as a 15% increased risk with inflammatory diets and an 8% reduction with healthier diets. These figures appear consistent with the study's claims, but the article lacks detailed information on the statistical models used, which affects verifiability. The mention of the Alternative Healthy Eating Index and the Empirical Dietary Inflammatory Pattern as measurement tools is accurate, yet the article does not delve into how these indices were applied. Additionally, the article correctly identifies early menstruation's association with increased health risks, though it does not provide detailed evidence or studies backing these claims.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on the findings of a single study, presenting the perspective that diet significantly impacts the timing of menstruation. While it quotes several experts, including the study's author and an independent researcher, it does not explore opposing views or other studies that might challenge or support these findings. The lack of counterarguments or alternative explanations for early menstruation, such as genetic factors, presents a somewhat one-sided narrative.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear, accessible language to convey its main points. It logically progresses from the study's findings to expert commentary and practical implications for readers. However, the lack of detailed methodological explanations may leave some readers with questions about the study's robustness.

Source quality

The article references credible sources, including Dr. Holly Harris of the Fred Hutch Cancer Center and Dr. Zifan Wang from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, enhancing its reliability. These experts provide authoritative commentary on the study's findings. However, the article does not mention any potential conflicts of interest or funding sources for the study, which could influence the impartiality of the reporting.

Transparency

The article provides some context about the study's methodology, such as the use of dietary indices and the data source (Growing Up Today Study), but lacks detailed explanations of the statistical models and controls used. It does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest or biases from the researchers involved, which affects the transparency of the reporting.