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“THE DANGEROUS TRIO”: OBESITY, PRECOCIOUS PUBERTY, AND POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME (PCOS) IN TEENAGERS

“THE DANGEROUS TRIO”: OBESITY, PRECOCIOUS PUBERTY, AND POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME (PCOS) IN TEENAGERS

28/07/2025

If you notice your child appears plump, taller than peers of the same age, especially when your daughter begins to develop breasts and is accompanied by signs such as acne, more abundant arm and leg hair, or a darkened nape of the neck, do not delay taking your child for an examination, as the child may be facing the "dangerous trio": Obesity - Precocious Puberty - Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). 

Why is this "trio" concerning? 

These are not just isolated issues but are closely linked and cause significant consequences for the physical and mental health of children.

1. Impact on physical health

  • Precocious puberty: Your child may develop faster than their peers initially, but this can lead to an earlier cessation of height development. This means that, as an adult, your child's final height may be shorter than that of their peers.

  • Obesity: Excessive body weight puts pressure on your child's bones and joints, easily leading to back pain, kyphosis, or scoliosis.

  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): This is a hormonal disorder that increases the risk of infertility in daughters or makes them more susceptible to developing diabetes later in life.

2. Psychological impact

Puberty is a sensitive period. When children face unwanted bodily changes, they are highly susceptible to psychological distress:

  • Lack of confidence, complex: Children may feel ashamed of their appearance, especially if they experience significant acne, excessive body hair, or overweight. 

  • Being teased, misunderstood: They might be teased by their friends or misunderstood by adults as "grown up”, leading to pressure, withdrawal, or age-inappropriate behaviors.

  • Impact on learning and integration: Lack of confidence and complex can cause children to lose confidence in their studies, making it difficult to integrate with their friends and social activities. 

3. Long-term health effects

If not intervened in time, this "trio" can lead to serious health problems when your children grow up:

  • Increased risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, fatty liver, and endometrial cancer (in girls).

  • May directly affect your children's future fertility and pregnancy.

So, what can you do to help your children?

Parents are the most important people to help their children overcome this stage. Here are things parents can do:

  • Help your child lose weight correctly: The important thing is to change eating and living habits. Encourage your child to eat more green vegetables, limit sugary and fatty foods, and increase daily physical activity (e.g., walking, running, playing sports).

  • Take your child for an endocrine examination: If your child shows signs of precocious puberty (e.g., girls developing breasts before 8 years old, boys developing signs of puberty before 9 years old) or irregular menstruation in girls, take your child to an endocrinologist for timely diagnosis and intervention. 

  • Provide psychological support for your children: Listen to your children, never criticize or compare them with friends. Parents should be companions, sharing and encouraging children, not judges.

  • Educate children about reproductive health: Help them understand that changes in their bodies are completely natural. Equip them with knowledge on how to properly care for themselves during puberty.

Puberty is a significant milestone in every child's life. Early detection – early intervention – and proper companionship are the golden keys to helping your child overcome this stage healthily and completely.

To register for a consultation with endocrinologists at American International Hospital (AIH), please contact hotline (028) 3910 9999 or inbox Fan page https://m.me/aih.com.vn.

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AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL HOSPITAL (AIH):
☎ Hotline: (028) 3910 9999
🌏 Website: www.aih.com.vn
📍Address: (Entrance from 199 Nguyen Hoang Street) No.6, Bac Nam 3 Street, Binh Trung Ward, Ho Chi Minh
  • by Admin AIH
  • In Tin tức & Sự kiện

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