Timing of Puberty: Associations with Obesity and Impact on Growth

Dear Colleagues,

Puberty is a critical phase of human development, characterised by physiological changes that lead to sexual maturation and reproductive capability. Puberty’s onset is influenced by various factors, including genetic, environmental, and nutritional status. Genetic and epigenetic variations such as variations in DLK1 and MKRN3 expressions of imprinting can lead to precocious puberty; other genetic causes are also reported. Several studies have found a link between obesity and early puberty in girls. Girls who are overweight or obese tend to experience an earlier initiation of puberty and an earlier menarche compared to their normal-weight counterparts. Possible associated mechanisms are under investigation. Leptin, a hormone produced by adipose tissue, plays a role in regulating energy balance and reproductive function. Elevated leptin levels, other adipokines, and insulin resistance in obese individuals may influence the timing of puberty. The relationship between obesity and pubertal timing in boys is less clear, opening the path for further research. Existing data do not consistently support an association between obesity and the timing of male pubertal onset. On the contrary, obese boys tend to start their puberty late. Early puberty can affect linear growth. Girls who experience menarche earlier may have accelerated growth during the prepubertal phase, but a slower growth during adolescence.

Dr. Meropi Toumba
Dr. Nicolas C. Nicolaides
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Children is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.