Girls Reaching Puberty at Younger Ages

Precocious puberty is the term given to describe the occurrence of early sexual maturation in boys and girls. In girls, the youngest age that it is normal to enter into puberty is age nine. More and more girls are starting to develop at 8, and even 7 years of age. Early puberty occurs most often in girls. In boys, another disease, disorder, or heredity is to blame. In the past, early puberty was a symptom associated with disorders of the pituitary gland, adrenal gland, ovaries, or testicles.

With precocious puberty, a girl under the age of nine will exhibit breast development, pubic and underarm hair, acne, she will begin to menstruate, have a distinctly adult body odor, and may grow rapidly. These symptoms of precocious puberty are only physical, these girls are not mentally or emotionally maturing at advanced rates.

Because of the rising numbers of girls entering puberty at younger and younger ages, this issue has garnered the attention of more doctors and scientists than ever before. Previously, there were several known reasons for precocious puberty. These included brain tumors, brain lesions, brain infections, ovary disorders, ovarian cysts, hormone secreting tumors, and Peutz Jeghers Syndrome.

A recent study led by Dr. Frank Biro, a physician at CCHMC, suggests that the increasing percentage of obese children in the United States is to blame for precocious puberty being on the rise. The study, which was published in Pediatrics Magazine, also shows that African-American girls are affected at a higher rate than white females in the same age group. The higher the Body Mass Index of these 7 and 8 year old girls, the more likely that they were to experience signs of early puberty onset.

Another study, sponsored by the University of Michigan suggests that precocious puberty is caused by increased levels of estrogenic (female hormone) contaminants in the food that these children are consuming on a regular basis.

The effects of precocious puberty in young girls could result in stunted height, increased risk of breast cancers, and low self esteem. Girls who reach puberty at an early age are more likely to be ostracized by their peers, and to engage in sexually risky behavior.

Scientists and doctors agree that the only way to prevent the onset of precocious puberty is to monitor the foods that you are feeding your children. An organic, balanced diet will help to combat precocious puberty caused by obesity and hormonal food contaminants.

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www.kidshealth.org