Early timing of puberty has established wide relevance for the child & family (stress, mental health, behavioural issues, and risk-taking behaviours), their educational performance, and for public health (obesity, Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and several types of cancer). Hence, understanding the determinants of puberty timing is an important topic. Children who show rapid weight gain during early life and are overweight or obese are more likely than others to progress through puberty early. However, there is scarce and inconsistent evidence regarding specific foods or nutrients associated with the timing of puberty (1).
A previous analysis of ALSPAC in 2010 (prior to available puberty questionnaire data) was limited to a categorical assessment of age at menarche only (2). That analysis found that higher total protein intakes at age 3 and 7 years were associated with higher likelihood of reaching menarche by age 12 years 8 months (2), but two other studies found no association between total protein intake and the timing of onset of puberty (1). Also, inconsistent associations between total fat, monounsaturated fat and polyunsaturated fat intakes and puberty timing have been reported (1, 2). No association between total carbohydrate intake and puberty timing was found (1), nor in ALSPAC with specific carbohydrates (i.e. starch, sugar and fibre intakes) (2). In contrast, a recent study found that more frequent sugar-sweetened beverage intakes was associated with earlier menarche (1).
The present research will analyse diets in children at ages prior to the onset of puberty. In ALSPAC, these diets were assessed by parental report (food frequency questionnaire and diet diaries) and objective biomarkers of specific intakes (red cell membrane fatty acids, as markers of dairy fat, and fish and seafood intakes). The main outcome will be the timing of puberty development: onset, completion and duration of puberty. Both boys and girls will be included, and analysed separately.

References:
1) Villamor, E., & Jansen, E. C. (2016). Nutritional determinants of the timing of puberty. Annual review of public health, 37, 33-46.
2) Rogers, I. S., Northstone, K., Dunger, D. B., Cooper, A. R., Ness, A. R., & Emmett, P. M. (2010). Diet throughout childhood and age at menarche in a contemporary cohort of British girls. Public health nutrition, 13(12), 2052-2063.