Determinants of Early Puberty among Girls

Early puberty is a huge challenge for our society today. A case control study was conducted by the Department of Child Health Nursing to analyze the determinants of early puberty among girls in Amala Convent, Thuckalay, Kanyakumari District. 74 cases and 74 controls were selected by convenience sampling method. Research found that habitat in rural and urban areas, snacks while watching T.V, habit of reading books, playing video games, using internet, taking non-vegetarian items, eating ice creams, eating fast food, doing physical activities as leisure activities, participating in sports, doing crafts, school commuting by any means and past history of significant medical illness and treatment were the determinants of early puberty. There was a significant association found between the case and control groups on the following determinants such as Nuclear type of family, snacks while watching T.V - Taking biscuits and chips, Habits of reading books – reading comedy & science books, Video games - Playing less than 1 hour, Internet - Using less than 1 hour, Non Vegetarian item- taking chicken, Frequency of taking Non- vegetarian Item - once in a week, vegetarian item - taking potato, Leisure activities – doing Physical activities, Energy drinks – consuming milk, Distance between home and school less than 2 kms, Fast food - eating once in a week, Games – playing caroms, Sports - playing volley ball, Graft - drawing, School commuting by bus and treatment taken in the hospital.