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Early Puberty in Girls

Early Puberty in Girls. Georgiana Shmagin. What’s the deal?.

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Early Puberty in Girls

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  1. Early Puberty in Girls Georgiana Shmagin

  2. What’s the deal? • More than 10 percent of white 7-year-old girls in a Pediatricsstudy, which was conducted in the mid-2000s, had reached a stage of breast development marking the start of puberty, compared to just 5 percent in a similar study conducted in the early 1990s. • Girls that reach puberty early often have poor self esteem, eating disorders, and depression. If they look 16, people will treat them as 16. • About 15% of American girls now begin puberty by age 7 • Researchers don't completely understand why the age of puberty is falling • Some believe that body fat may be a contributor- In the 1840s, for example, girls in Scandinavia didn't begin menstruating until age 16 or 17. As nutrition and living conditions improved, the age at first menstruation occurred two to three months earlier each decade. http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/08/09/girls.starting.puberty.early/index.html

  3. Why’s this happening? ~Researchers believe there are many forces at work, like obesity or hormone-like environmental chemicals.~ • Obesity: In general, obese girls are much more likely to develop early than thin ones because obesity increases hormones such as insulin and leptin. ( The number of obese girls is raising to 30%, as the CDC says) • Prematurity: Those born premature often exhibit “catch-up growth” and can become overweight. • Genetics: Studies show that black girls go into puberty sooner than white girls, although 100 years ago this was opposite the case. They also tend to have higher levels of insulin and leptin. • Environmental Chemicals: Everything from pesticides to household perfume can interfere with hormones. There is also concern about an estrogen-like chemical, called BPA, or bisphenol A, that is found in hard plastics, the linings of metal cans and many other consumer products. Although BPA can cause early puberty in animals, its not clear how if affects humans.

  4. Why’s this happening? • Screen time: It has been shown that time in front of the screen can lower melatonin, a chemical regulating light and day cycles, which can keep puberty at bay. • Family stress: Some believe that experiencing family stress can increase rates, especially if a girl isn’t living with her biological father. ~ Support is key ~

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