Obesity link to early puberty

The discovery came after scientists identified 30 genes that control the age at which women become sexual adults.

Many were also found to play a strong role in fat metabolism, establishing a biological link between early puberty and an increased risk of obesity.

Women who reach sexual maturity too soon are generally prone to poorer health in later life.

The new international study, involving more than 100,000 women from Europe, the US and Australia, found that many sexual maturity genes are important for the regulation of body weight.

Specific genes were identified that were involved in hormone control and cell development.

Puberty and metabolism may be linked because reproduction depends on the body having enough nutrients.

The research, published today in the journal Nature Genetics, suggests that timing of puberty in women is governed by a complex range of biological processes.

It also indicates that women in some families may inherit a joint genetic susceptibility to weight gain and early puberty.

One of the scientists from the Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit in Cambridge, Dr Ken Ong, said: "We know that girls who are overweight are more likely to go through puberty at younger ages. Our findings tell us that being overweight and early puberty are intricately linked.

"It is also important to understand that these 'common genetic factors' can be modified by changes in lifestyle. If rates of childhood obesity continue to rise we will see many more girls with puberty at young ages. Conversely, efforts to prevent or reduce childhood obesity will help avoid early puberty."