Metabolism and puberty

Human nutrition affects puberty. The nature of nutrition is determined by the socio-economic conditions of society and family, genetic and epigenetic factors. Micro- and macronutrients, hormones modulate growth and/or signal nutritional status and energy available for growth and maturation. The onset of puberty is delayed in response to chronic energy deficiency and accelerated in case of its excess. Late puberty increases the likelihood of cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and neurocognitive disorders. Early puberty is a risk factor for obesity, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer. The authors discuss the mechanisms determining the influence of nutrition and metabolism on sexual development, pubertal disorders in metabolic defects, chronic diseases.