We’ve all been there: grabbing that post-dinner snack—whether it’s fruit, soda, or a sweet treat. It’s a habit that’s especially common among growing kids, who always seem to have an endless appetite.
But before you pass them that sugary treat, you might want to think twice. Recent studies suggest that sugar intake could slow your child’s growth spurt. Some experts are now urging parents to reconsider the after-dinner dessert routine.
A recent report from Taiwan’s ETtoday highlighted a finding that could be a game changer: consuming sugar can temporarily dip growth hormone levels for about 2 to 3 hours.
Dr. Wang Lu Ting, a pediatric endocrinologist, warns that sugar intake not only affects growth hormones but also plays a role in obesity. “Obesity causes insulin resistance, and it’s an invisible killer that slows down children’s growth rates,” she said.
But that’s not all. Wang goes on to say that excessive sugar consumption could suppress growth hormones and even speed up the closure of growth plates — a critical factor in determining how tall your child will ultimately grow.
Wang explained how they conducted an experiment where children ingested 1.75 grams of glucose per kilogram of body weight. After collecting blood samples within a specific time frame, the results were clear: growth hormone levels dropped significantly or were nearly undetectable within 2 to 3 hours after sugar intake.
While this drop in growth hormone levels is temporary, Wang notes that many parents fail to recognize the risks of sugar consumption. “It’s only when their children stop growing as expected or experience early puberty that they start to realize the dangers,” she said.
The Hidden Cost: Up to 6.4 cm of Lost Height
Wang also cautioned that excessive sugar intake can cause bones to grow too quickly, which might make children appear taller in the short term. However, this accelerated growth could lead to a much shorter final height than their peers who usually grow.
Her claims are supported by a study conducted in Germany. Researchers tracked 197 children with type 1 diabetes and found that those with higher HbA1c levels (a marker for blood sugar) ended up shorter than initially predicted.
On average, these children experienced a height reduction of about 3 cm, with some losing up to 6.4 cm of their potential adult height.
If your child grows less than 4 cm per year during their growth period or falls below the 3rd percentile for height, it could be a sign of short stature or delayed development. In such cases, consulting with a pediatric endocrinologist for advice and guidance is essential
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