CHILDHOOD OBESITY INFLUENCING PRECOCCIOUS PUBERTY IN GIRLS’ LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Early puberty has increased in recent decades, especially among girls, following the growth of childhood obesity. Excess adipose tissue promotes metabolic, hormonal and inflammatory changes that interfere with the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, favoring the early activation of sexual maturation. Exposure to endocrine disruptors potentiates these effects. This study aimed to analyze the association between childhood obesity and precocious puberty in girls, emphasizing the main pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical implications. This is a qualitative literature review, carried out through systematized searches in the PubMed, SciELO, EBSCO, Google Scholar, UpToDate and Scopus databases with articles published in the last five years. The findings demonstrate that obesity induces chronic low-grade inflammation, hypothalamic inflammation, and alterations in leptin and adiponectin secretion, stimulating the early release of gonadotropins and favoring the early onset of thelarch and menarche. It is concluded that childhood obesity plays a central role in the anticipation of pubertal development, making preventive strategies, educational actions and early interventions essential, with emphasis on the role of Primary Health Care in the detection, monitoring and promotion of health.