How sugar addiction affects reproductive system of developing children

Sugar addiction starting from young age can be a lifelong problem that affects health and even the reproductive development of your child.

Sugars are one of the three major macronutrients you need on a daily basis but the type of sugar plays a major role in your health.

Simple sugars found in candy, sweets, baked goods, cereal, soda and ice cream, raise your blood sugar levels fast and provide hundreds of calories, which can easily lead to weight gain, which in turn can affect your child's sexual development.

Sugar and Obesity
Sugar itself is one of the basic nutrients that provide energy for your body. Everyone needs certain amounts of sugars or carbohydrates every day.

However, eating simple sugars found in sweet treats are not ideal for keeping hunger away and they contain high amount of calories in small servings.

Over-consuming sugary foods can easily lead to obesity, according to Dr. Robert Keith, a Professor of Food and Nutrition at the Auburn University.

Obesity and Health
Childhood obesity is associated with a large number of health complications, including increased risk for atherosclerosis, diabetes and hypertension.

Obesity can also influence the reproductive development of your child, such as timing of pubertal initiation and hormonal balances during puberty, according to a study published in "Reproduction" in 2010. These alterations can affect not only sexual maturity but overall health as well. Early puberty may be associated with psychological problems, breast cancer and polycystic ovary syndrome.

Puberty and Obesity
Obesity in early childhood appears to be linked with advanced or early puberty in girls. This may be due to the abnormalities that obesity has on the hypothalamic-pituitary unit that controls hormonal balances within the body.

Obesity is also associated with increased sex-hormone levels, such as estrogen in girls. While obesity can advance puberty in girls the opposite seems to be true for boys, and obesity can delay the reproductive development in boys.

Conclusion
Eating sugary foods may not affect reproductive development directly, but the consequences that sugar addition has on your child's body weight can play a major role in development and sexual maturity. Limit the intake of high-calorie and nutrient-poor foods in your child's diet from early on by teaching your child proper eating habits. For example, allow your child to eat sugary treats only once a day and offer fruits, berries and low-sugar yogurts instead.