Environmental Toxins A Factor in Early Onset of Puberty in Girls

[Guest guest]

Environmental Toxins A Factor in Early Onset of Puberty in Girls

11 Aug 2010

A study published in the medical journal Pediatrics on Monday found that

7-year-old girls are showing signs of breast development in higher numbers than

in previous years. In 1997 a nation-wide study of 3 to 12 year-old’s found that

it was surprisingly common for girls as young as 7 and 8 to have begun

developing breasts or growing pubic hair. This most recent study, led by Dr.

Biro of the Cincinnati Children’s hospital, found that the trend toward early

puberty is continuing. The findings were based on a cohort of 1,239 girls from 3

different cities, racially comprised of a third each White, Black, and Latino.

The percentage of white girls developing breasts at age 7 increased the most

over the years compared to their black and Latino counterparts. It was already

known that Black and Latino girls hit puberty earlier than their white peers.

Obesity and environmental toxins are thought to be the two major factors

influencing the early on-set of puberty. Body fat produces estrogen, a hormone

required for menstruation and breast development. Dr. Biro said that while

obesity plays a role, the study also was a “wake-up call” regarding the effects

of environmental toxins. He told the New York Times, “It’s certainly throwing up

a warning flag. We need to think about the stuff we’re exposing our bodies to

and our kids bodies.” Girls who begin puberty early are more likely to

experience mental health and medical problems later in life.

Guest: Dr. Pitts, Division of Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine at

Children’s Hospital Boston

[Guest guest]

I know my daughter reached puberty at 11 that is very young as well

Tim

http://www.thenutritiongenius.com

From: jeannne buesser <jbmistletoe@...>

ApraxiaNetworkOfBergenCountyegroups;

Sent: Wed, August 11, 2010 1:26:47 PM

Subject: [ ] Environmental Toxins A Factor in Early Onset of

Puberty in Girls

Environmental Toxins A Factor in Early Onset of Puberty in Girls

11 Aug 2010

A study published in the medical journal Pediatrics on Monday found that

7-year-old girls are showing signs of breast development in higher numbers than

in previous years. In 1997 a nation-wide study of 3 to 12 year-old’s found

that

it was surprisingly common for girls as young as 7 and 8 to have begun

developing breasts or growing pubic hair. This most recent study, led by Dr.

Biro of the Cincinnati Children’s hospital, found that the trend toward early

puberty is continuing. The findings were based on a cohort of 1,239 girls from 3

different cities, racially comprised of a third each White, Black, and Latino.

The percentage of white girls developing breasts at age 7 increased the most

over the years compared to their black and Latino counterparts. It was already

known that Black and Latino girls hit puberty earlier than their white peers.

Obesity and environmental toxins are thought to be the two major factors

influencing the early on-set of puberty. Body fat produces estrogen, a hormone

required for menstruation and breast development. Dr. Biro said that while

obesity plays a role, the study also was a “wake-up call†regarding the

effects

of environmental toxins. He told the New York Times, “It’s certainly

throwing up

a warning flag. We need to think about the stuff we’re exposing our bodies to

and our kids bodies.†Girls who begin puberty early are more likely to

experience mental health and medical problems later in life.

Guest: Dr. Pitts, Division of Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine at

Children’s Hospital Boston

------------------------------------