Resumen

MUZZO B, Santiago. INFLUENCE OF ENVIROMENTAL FACTORS IN THE TIMING OF PUBERTY. Rev. chil. nutr. [online]. 2007, vol.34, n.2, pp. 96-104. ISSN 0717-7518.  doi: 10.4067/S0717-75182007000200001.

Genetic and environmental factors influence the timing of puberty. Nutritional factors are very important due to their frequency and importance. We review here the factors that influence the timing of puberty, with special reference to nutrition, one of the environmental factors. Overweight and malnutrition aspects, the effect of chronic illnesses, the trends in the age of beginning and progression of puberty of girls and boys, the effect of migration and of intrauterine malnutrition over programming are discussed. Also the effect of environmental disruptors on puberty like the weather, light and darkness are mentioned. The importance of a proper environment for an adequate expression of genetic potential is reinforced

Palabras clave : Timing of puberty; genetic and environmental factors; nutrition.