In other words, while it can help children grow quickly in a short period, it will accelerate bone aging and reduce future growth potential.
Generally, bone age and actual age should be equivalent, but if development occurs too rapidly, bone age tends to be older than the actual age. We can understand this better through an example.
For a typical child: Specifically, a 9-year-old child with a bone age of 9 years old can potentially grow for another 8-10 years (like a marathon runner, running the entire course at a constant speed).
Early puberty: At 9 years old with a bone age of 12 years, there may only be 4-5 years of growth left (like a sprinter who runs out of energy after a short burst).
Many parents think that since their child is taller than their peers, they will surely achieve an ideal height later on. In reality, this is a misunderstanding. While children may experience rapid growth in a short period, if their bone age advances faster than their height, it will create consequences.
The growth cycle shortens. If a typical child gains 5cm every year and can continue growing for 10 years, a child with early puberty may gain 8cm annually but only has 5 years of growth left.
According to data from the Health Education and Promotion Association of China, about 530,000 children in the country are facing the issue of early puberty.
Experts point out that there are four habits of parents that increase the risk of early puberty in children, considered “invisible culprits” lurking in daily life, silently shortening the growth cycle.
Influence of Plastic Use Habits
Many mothers have the habit of preparing large batches of food and then storing them in the refrigerator. When it’s mealtime, they simply wrap the food in plastic wrap and heat it in the microwave.
However, this thin layer of plastic is quietly releasing bisphenol A and phthalates when heated. Numerous studies have found that children continuously exposed to these “environmental estrogens” are more likely to experience early puberty than their peers.
Therefore, when reheating food, parents should remove the plastic wrap, minimize the use of plastic food containers, and opt for ceramic or glass bowls that are safe for microwave use.
For hot beverages, try choosing stainless steel cups that are corrosion-resistant or paper cups instead of plastic ones.
Image source: Pinterest.
Children Staying Up Late Using Electronic Devices
Two recent studies in China provided evidence that prolonged use of electronic devices can increase the risk of early puberty in children.
These studies showed that children with limited self-control can easily get engrossed in addictive video games or screen programs, often playing until the late hours. Lack of sleep affects overall health and directly impacts the rhythm of growth hormone and androgen secretion, including estrogen, leading to undesirable physiological changes.
Moreover, sitting for extended periods while using mobile phones or playing video games results in a sedentary lifestyle. Lack of physical activity causes the body to accumulate excess fat. Fat cells act as tiny “factories” that produce estrogen. When the number of fat cells increases, excessive estrogen production can occur, leading to early puberty in children.
Allowing children to use electronic devices for prolonged periods.
Furthermore, exposure to unhealthy content, including romantic movies or shows on the internet, can stimulate early puberty. Inappropriate images and messages can create unrealistic expectations and pressures about sexuality, influencing children’s self-perception and relationships with others.
Just as an 8-hour workday ensures a balance between work and health, regulating screen time is crucial. It allows children time for physical activity, outdoor play, and the development of social skills through extracurricular activities.
Therefore, parents should proactively set clear rules regarding screen time. Instead of allowing unrestricted access to social media or video games, encourage your children to engage in outdoor activities, sports, or artistic pursuits.
Using Fast Food as a Pacifier
Many parents use fast food as a pacifier or reward for their children when they complete a task. However, this habit can have long-lasting negative effects on their health and development.
Fast food is typically high in calories, fat, and sugar but lacks essential vitamins and minerals. When children consume fast food regularly, it leads to nutritional imbalances that can disrupt hormone balance in the body, particularly affecting estrogen secretion.
Think of a child’s growth as a car journey. During normal development, the car travels at a steady, safe, and efficient speed. But when parents offer fast food, it’s like adding low-quality fuel to the car.
Using fast food to pacify children.
While the car may speed up initially, indicating rapid height growth in the early stages, it will soon lead to engine problems (representing the child’s body). When children consume excessive amounts of unhealthy food, their growth plates may close prematurely, reducing future height potential.
Additionally, fast food can contribute to weight gain, obesity, and health issues such as diabetes and cardiovascular problems. Children accustomed to fast food may struggle to adjust their eating habits and develop healthy dietary patterns as adults.
This not only impacts their health but also creates a vicious cycle, as they may face weight and psychological challenges in the future.
Drinking Milk Tea Instead of Water
Many parents enjoy milk tea, and this habit also influences their children. Milk tea has become a popular beverage, ingrained in modern food culture. However, a cup of milk tea contains the same amount of calories as 10 sugar cubes plus half a bowl of rice.
When this amount of sugar enters the body, it provides instant energy, easily leading to calorie excess. This surplus energy is converted into fat and stored in the body, causing long-term health issues, especially in children.
Drinking milk tea instead of water.
As fat cells accumulate, they start producing aromatase, an enzyme that plays a crucial role in converting testosterone into estrogen. This process increases estrogen levels in the body, potentially accelerating puberty and causing early physiological changes in children.
Therefore, it’s essential to avoid sugary drinks whenever possible. Instead, parents should encourage children to drink water, natural fruit juices, or herbal teas without added sugar.
However, it’s worth noting that some sugar-free drinks may not be safe, as they often contain artificial sweeteners, which can have certain effects if consumed regularly.
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