Researchers studied 59 girls with a condition called central precocious puberty (early puberty) who were taking a medicine called leuprolide. They wanted to see how what the girls ate affected their weight during the COVID-19 pandemic. They found something interesting: girls who ate more fruits, vegetables, and healthy foods were more likely to keep their weight stable or even lose weight. Girls who ate more junk food like sugary drinks and processed snacks were more likely to gain weight. This shows that eating healthy foods really does matter when kids are taking this type of medicine.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Does what girls eat affect their weight when they’re taking medicine for early puberty?
  • Who participated: 59 girls between ages 5 and 13 who had early puberty and were being treated with a medicine called leuprolide acetate. The study happened during the COVID-19 pandemic from May to December 2021.
  • Key finding: Girls who ate more healthy foods like fruits and vegetables were more likely to have stable or lower weight measurements. About 52.5% of the girls (31 out of 59) actually lost weight or stayed the same, and these girls ate significantly more fruits and vegetables than the others.
  • What it means for you: If your daughter has early puberty and is taking this medicine, paying attention to what she eats—especially making sure she gets plenty of fruits and vegetables—may help prevent unwanted weight gain. However, this is just one study, so talk to your doctor about the best nutrition plan for your child.

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers looked at a group of girls at one point in time rather than following them over many years. The girls all had a condition called central precocious puberty, which means they were going through puberty earlier than normal. All of them were being treated with a medicine called leuprolide acetate, which slows down early puberty.

The researchers asked the girls and their families about what they ate using two methods: a food frequency questionnaire (which asks how often you eat certain foods) and a 24-hour dietary recall (which asks what you ate in the past day). They used a special scoring system called the Fornés score to measure how much healthy food (like beans, fruits, vegetables, and leafy greens) and unhealthy food (like hamburgers, sugary drinks, ultra-processed foods, and candy) each girl was eating.

They then looked at whether the girls’ weight measurements changed and compared that to what they were eating. The study took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was a time when many kids’ routines and eating habits changed.

This research approach is important because it helps doctors understand what happens to kids’ weight when they’re taking this specific medicine during unusual times like a pandemic. By looking at real eating patterns and real weight changes, researchers can see if diet actually makes a difference. This information helps doctors give better advice to families about nutrition during treatment.

This study has some strengths: it measured both what kids ate and their weight changes, and it found clear patterns. However, there are some limitations to keep in mind. The study only looked at 59 girls at one point in time, so we can’t be completely sure the results would be the same for all girls with this condition. The study was done during the pandemic, which was an unusual time, so results might be different in normal times. Also, the study can show that healthy eating and weight are connected, but it can’t prove that eating healthy foods caused the weight changes—other factors might be involved.

What the Results Show

About half of the girls (52.5%, or 31 out of 59) had their weight measurements go down or stay the same during the study period. The other half (47.5%, or 28 out of 59) had their weight measurements increase. The key difference between these two groups was what they ate.

Girls whose weight stayed stable or decreased ate significantly more healthy foods, especially fresh fruits and vegetables. When researchers looked at the numbers, they found that the more fruits and vegetables a girl ate, the more likely her weight was to stay stable or decrease. This connection was strong enough that it wasn’t likely to be just by chance.

Interestingly, the girls’ age when they started treatment and how long they had been in treatment didn’t seem to affect whether their weight went up or down. This suggests that diet was the main factor making the difference, not how old they were or how long they’d been taking the medicine.

The study used a scoring system where higher numbers meant eating more of a particular type of food. Girls with lower weight gain had scores that were about 0.32 points higher on the healthy food scale, which might not sound like much, but it represented a meaningful difference in how much fruits and vegetables they were actually eating.

The study found that specific types of healthy foods mattered most. Fruits and vegetables were the strongest predictors of weight stability. When researchers looked at each food group separately, fresh fruits and leafy greens and vegetables both showed strong connections to lower weight gain. Beans, while part of the healthy food category, weren’t analyzed separately in the results. The study also confirmed that unhealthy foods (sugary drinks, processed foods, and sweets) were associated with weight gain, though the specific details about which unhealthy foods mattered most weren’t highlighted in the main findings.

This research fits with what doctors already know about nutrition and weight management in children. Many previous studies have shown that eating more fruits and vegetables helps kids maintain healthy weights. However, this study is special because it looks specifically at girls with early puberty who are taking leuprolide, a medicine that can affect metabolism and weight. Most previous research on this medicine focused on whether it worked for treating early puberty, not on how diet affects weight during treatment. This study fills an important gap by showing that even while taking this medicine, diet still plays a major role in weight management. The findings also add to our understanding of how important nutrition is during the unusual circumstances of a pandemic, when kids’ routines changed dramatically.

This study has several important limitations. First, it only included 59 girls, which is a relatively small group. Results from a larger study might be different. Second, the study only looked at one point in time rather than following girls over months or years, so we can’t be sure the patterns would continue. Third, the study was done during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was an unusual time when kids were home from school, had different routines, and had different access to foods. The results might be different in normal times. Fourth, the study can show that healthy eating and weight are connected, but it can’t prove that eating healthy foods caused the weight changes—other things like exercise, sleep, stress, or genetics might also be involved. Finally, the study relied on families remembering what they ate, which isn’t always completely accurate.

The Bottom Line

If your daughter has early puberty and is taking leuprolide, work with her doctor to make sure her diet includes plenty of fruits and vegetables. This study suggests (but doesn’t prove) that this may help prevent unwanted weight gain. Aim for at least 2-3 servings of fruits and 2-3 servings of vegetables daily. Limit sugary drinks, processed snacks, and fast food. However, this is based on one study of a specific group during a specific time, so individual results may vary. Talk to your doctor or a dietitian for personalized advice. Confidence level: Moderate—the study shows a clear connection, but more research is needed to be completely certain.

This research is most relevant for girls with central precocious puberty who are being treated with leuprolide acetate and their families. It’s also useful for doctors and nurses who care for these children. If your daughter has this condition, these findings could help guide conversations with her healthcare team about nutrition. However, if your daughter doesn’t have early puberty or isn’t taking this medicine, the findings may not apply directly to her, though eating more fruits and vegetables is good advice for all children.

Based on this study, changes in weight patterns appeared to happen over several months (the study looked at data from May to December 2021). You probably shouldn’t expect to see major weight changes in just a few weeks. Instead, focus on building healthy eating habits over time. If you make dietary changes, give them at least 2-3 months before expecting to see significant differences in weight measurements. Talk to your doctor about what realistic goals should be for your daughter.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily servings of fruits and vegetables consumed. Set a goal of at least 5 servings per day (2-3 fruits and 2-3 vegetables). Log each serving in the app and monitor weekly totals. Also track weight measurements monthly as recorded by your doctor.
  • Use the app to plan meals that include at least one fruit or vegetable at each meal. Create a shopping list feature that highlights fruits and vegetables. Set reminders to eat fruits as snacks instead of processed foods. Track and celebrate days when the daily fruit and vegetable goal is met.
  • Monitor weekly fruit and vegetable intake trends over 8-12 week periods. Compare these trends to weight measurements taken at doctor visits. Use the app to identify which fruits and vegetables the child prefers and enjoys most to improve adherence. Track any barriers to eating healthy foods and problem-solve with the family.

This research describes findings from a single study conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic with a small group of girls. While the results suggest a connection between eating more fruits and vegetables and weight stability in girls with central precocious puberty taking leuprolide, this study cannot prove cause and effect. Individual results may vary significantly. This information is educational and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with your child’s doctor or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your child’s diet or nutrition plan, especially if your child is taking medication for any condition. If you have concerns about your child’s weight or nutrition, speak with your healthcare provider.