With its addiction eating away at youth's health, fast food 'accelerating' puberty in girls

As a result of young people's addiction to fast and junk food, many are living with cardiac disorders, and some have died prematurely from heart attacks. Its consequences for pregnant mothers and their unborn infants are no different.

Experts claim that fast food intake is a big contributor to increased obesity, early puberty in girls, and health complications in infants and it is also linked to mental disorders such as anxiety and depression.

First, we have to understand what’s the difference between junk and fast food.

Junk food includes all processed or packaged goods that are sold in plastic bags or other packaging, including your favourite snacks.

Nonetheless, all fried foods, including burgers, fries, and fried chicken, are classified as fast food.

Both are dangerous and pose serious health hazards.

When Geo Digital sought medical professionals about the impact of junk food and fast food on pregnant women and their unborn children, various responses painted a disturbing picture.

Girls who are consuming fast food from a young age and becoming addicted to it are not only reaching puberty earlier, even at the age of 6-7 years but also facing complications in conceiving and during labour. Adults are increasingly receiving diagnoses for mental health issues like depression and anxiety. One of the most common problems we are addressing nowadays is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS); many women are unaware of this condition.

Early puberty is a fact

Dr Muzna Arif, an endocrinologist at Aga Khan University and Hospital (AKUH), highlighted how fast food can lead to early puberty and other health problems.

"As endocrinologists, we are increasingly noticing signs of early puberty, particularly in girls, and one of the leading contributing factors is the intake of fast or processed foods. These foods cause substantial weight gain due to their high starch and carbohydrate levels. The higher intake of the abovementioned macros, the higher the insulin levels, which causes a variety of changes in the human body. High insulin levels release and increase another hormone called leptin, which triggers early puberty”, she added.

She further clarified that insulin is a hormone that triggers many chemical changes in the body.

Leptin causes early puberty in children, particularly girls, resulting in premature development as young as 6 or 7 years old. This not only impacts their height as they age but also imposes an impact on their overall health due to weight gain.

Pakistan among top 10 countries battling obesity

Pakistan is already among the top 10 countries facing the obesity crisis. According to the World Obesity Federation (WOF), the numbers are rising, and if we don’t come up with a solution, then it’s predicted that by the end of 2030, more than 5 million children will be faced with this condition.

Experts believe that fast food consumption and overeating play a key role in this alarming trend. Pakistan ranks 10th out of 188 countries, with nearly half of the population classified as overweight or obese.

In a conversation with Geo Digital, Dr Duria, a gynaecologist at AKUH, stressed the importance of instilling healthy eating habits in children from an early age. “If kids are introduced to nutritious foods young, they’re less likely to crave junk food during their teenage years,” she explained.

Junk food not only contributes to weight gain but also negatively affects almost every organ in the body — your heart, brain, and even memory can suffer. “We’re seeing an increase in heart disease among young people due to the high consumption of fast food,” Dr Duria noted. 

She further explained how weight gain triggers hormonal changes, especially in women, impacting the reproductive system. “Ovaries, uterus, menstrual cycles, and even fertility can all be affected,” she said, pausing thoughtfully before adding, it’s all connected.

Dr Duria further explained why many women gain excessive weight even before pregnancy. The primary cause, she noted, is the overconsumption of junk food, which leads to an increase in BMI and, in turn, causes complications during labour. She outlined some of the risks linked to excessive weight gain during pregnancy:

• High blood pressure
• Gestational diabetes
• Macrosomia (excessive growth of the baby in the womb)
• Excessive amniotic fluid
• Increased risk of stillbirth
• Premature birth
• Higher likelihood of cesarean delivery
• Excessive bleeding during natural birth
• Mother-child trauma
• Shoulder dystocia: A rare childbirth complication where the baby's shoulders get stuck after the head is delivered, often due to the baby's larger size. This can lead to bone fractures and, in some cases, long-term complications such as epilepsy.

Dr Duria emphasised that all these complications are directly linked to the mother’s weight.

Let’s check what the World Health Organisation (WHO) guideline says in this context.

A March 2024 report from the WHO stresses the importance of weight control for pregnant women, both before and during pregnancy, to avoid complications for the mother and child. 

Key guidelines include maintaining a healthy weight during pregnancy, exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months, and limiting screen time also fall in this category. However, reducing sugary and high-calorie foods, and promoting a balanced diet rich in vegetables, whole grains, and nuts is mandatory.

But do women know the dangers of junk food in pregnancy and childbirth, including the possibility of stillbirth? Do they consult dietitians after becoming pregnant?

Societal pressure, pregnancy, weight gain

Uffaira Saad, a Clinical nutritionist, while sharing her thoughts with Geo Digital said that during pregnancy the societal pressure – mostly from the mother's side or in-laws – to eat a lot, also leads to excessive weight gain.

"There's this belief, especially among elders, that eating more will ensure a healthy baby, but that’s not the case. A baby born with excessive birth weight, who is inactive and unhealthy later on, isn't truly ‘healthy.’ However, a smaller baby with fully developed organs and mental faculties is considered healthy," she explained.

According to Dr Uffaira, pregnant women are becoming more aware of the value of sustaining a healthy weight. "Over the past five years, I've observed a lot of women becoming quite concerned about pregnancy-related issues, particularly in regards to food and weight gain.

“They are more likely to ask for diet charts and advice on how to control or reduce weight during pregnancy.

“When they come for a consultation I prepare a diet chart for them according to their weight, pregnancy duration and other issues,” the gynaecologist said.

She also suggested cutting out junk food and swapping it with healthier options like vegetables, vitamins, and protein. "Try to add different kinds of veggies to your meals, and include things like chicken, eggs, yoghurt, and milk. Instead of grabbing sugary sodas, go for lighter, homemade drinks like lemon water. Plus, light exercise and regular walking can make a big difference," she shared.

"We are what we eat," implying that a healthy lifestyle shapes everything from our personality to our appearance. This is especially true during pregnancy, where a mother's diet strongly impacts the baby's development.

“If we keep feeding pregnant women fast food, junk food, and sugary drinks, their babies could end up facing physical and mental health issues, like anxiety and depression. But when a mother eats well, she’s giving her child the best chance to be healthy too,” Uffaira added.