Proper nutritional supplementation can improve

The average age of first menstruation for Taiwanese women is about 12 and a half to 13 and a half years old. 95% of girls have their first menstruation between the ages of 11 and 15. Having their first menstruation before the age of 7 and a half may be early puberty. On the contrary, if a woman has not had her first menstruation at the age of 16, or has no secondary sexual characteristics (pubic hair, breasts, testicles) at the age of 13, it is late puberty.

Late puberty is also known as "delayed sexual development" in medicine, but please don't worry. Most people have constitutional late puberty, which is caused by congenital genetics and there is no obvious increase in height during puberty. Although they are short, they have a well-proportioned body, normal appearance of sexual organs, and no abnormalities in endocrine hormones. In addition, it is also caused by acquired malnutrition and disease factors, such as: endocrine abnormalities, chromosomal abnormalities (Turner's, Noonan's), abnormal gonadal hormones, hypothalamus, pituitary gland, adrenal cortex, thyroid diseases, etc., which affect normal development.

In terms of nutrition, there are several ways to promote children's development:

1. Adequate calcium: Adolescence is the second peak of growth and development. The increase in height is mainly due to the growth of long bones. Bone development requires sufficient calcium. 800 to 1200 mg of calcium should be supplemented daily. The best food sources of calcium are milk, dairy products, beans, green vegetables, fish and shrimp, etc., and milk has the highest calcium content and is indispensable in the daily diet.

2. Adequate protein: It is an important component of nucleoprotein, hormones, and antibodies. It can promote the formation of new cells, repair aging and damaged cells, and meet the needs of growth and development. At least 80 to 90 grams a day, such as fish, eggs, meat, milk, cereals, etc.

3. Iron supplement: When adolescent girls begin to menstruate, they lose a lot of iron. They should pay attention to supplementing their diet with foods rich in heme iron, such as lean meat, liver, red meat, etc. At the same time, they should also eat fresh fruits and green vegetables rich in vitamin C to promote iron absorption.

4. The trace element zinc can promote the development of gonads, and the appropriate amount of iodine supplementation can assist in the synthesis of thyroid hormone, such as oysters, lean meat, nuts, kelp, etc.; and moderate sleep and exercise.

Constitutional late puberty only requires observation. However, if it is suspected to be caused by disease factors, further examination is needed, such as measuring hormones (estradiol, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone), X-rays or CT scans to determine whether there are brain tumors or sex chromosome abnormalities.