Archive · 20 May 2025
Study: Healthy Diets in Girls Linked to Later First Periods
A new study found a connection between what girls eat and when they start their periods.
Girls who ate healthier foods tended to start their periods later, while those eating more sugary and processed foods started earlier.
The study looked at over 7,500 girls aged 9 to 14.
Researchers are still exploring this connection, but it highlights the importance of healthy eating for young girls.
Study links healthier diets in girls to later onset of menstruation.
Girls with the healthiest diets were 16% less likely to start menstruating early.
Girls consuming more inflammatory foods were 15% more likely to start periods earlier.
The study involved over 7,500 children aged 9 to 14.
Researchers suggest further investigation is needed to understand the relationship fully.
- Who
- Researchers studied over 7,500 children aged 9 to 14.
- What
- The study revealed a link between dietary habits and the age at which girls experience their first menstruation.
- When
- The study findings were published in the journal Human Reproduction.
- Where
- The study was conducted in the United States.
- Why
- To find the relationship between diet and the timing of menstruation.
Researchers Findings
Other perspectives
Causation vs. Correlation
Researchers Findings
Researchers found that healthier diets are associated with later menstruation.
Other perspectives
Some experts suggest that it's difficult to establish causation.
- Participants in Study
- 7,500+
- Participant Age Range
- 9-14
- Less likely to start menstruation early (healthiest diets)
- 16%
- More likely to start menstruation early (inflammatory foods)
- 15%
- Study Publication
- Published in Human Reproduction