What’s driving earlier puberty in girls?
Posted By Jennie Chancey on August 13, 2010
From Carolyn Moynihan over at Mercatornet:
Evidence that girls are reaching puberty as early as seven years of age is in the news this week following the publication of an article in the journal Paediatrics. It is a topic that has been debated for decades…. Experts are not certain about the factors driving the trend, which has been evident since the 1950s. Among the chief suspects are excess body fat which affects the level of hormones (estrogen and progesterone) that trigger puberty; environmental chemicals; and the environment in the womb resulting from maternal characteristics — including first period before age 12, smoking during pregnancy, and being pregnant for the first time….
Another factor, cited by Leonard Sax in his book Girls On The Edge, is the absence of a girl’s biological father.
Read the rest on Mercatornet. [Not for younger readers.]
About The Author
Jennie Chancey
Jennie is the wife of Matthew and mother of ten children, all of whom keep the household bubbling with life, learning, and levity. Jennie co-founded LAF in 2002 with Lydia Sherman and has been delighted to hear from women all over the world who enjoy their femininity and love to cultivate womanly virtues.Comments
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The study raises numerous good points. I was particularly interested to read that researchers are concerned because of links between early puberty and breast cancer.
I’ve seen so many “comments” on articles which discuss the study to the effect of – “Well, I started my period at 11 (or know someone who did, etc.) and I’m just fine!” I’m grateful for these long-term, longitudinal studies which show broad trends. We all know someone (or maybe we are that person!) who can do or who has xyz without any (or much) trouble. It’s the larger picture at which we should look.
All this to say, thanks for sharing the article!