Are We Feeding Early Puberty
Experts call it precocious puberty. Girls are maturing faster than in years past.
“Below age eight is considered early. It could be as young as seven or 6 ½” says pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Cayce Jehaimi who is part of Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida.
The average age of breast development has shortened by as much as a year and a half. That’s estimated to be 10-15% earlier than 20 years ago.
“It’s alarming and these are percentages are significant,” says Dr. Jehaimi.
Researchers believe there is a likely link between obesity and early puberty. Now they are taking it a step further. Looking at what - not just how much - girls are taking in, that may be accelerating their growth.
“It could be the type of food the child is exposed to: quantity versus quality of food,” says Dr. Jehaimi. “A lot of these foods are processed and almost put together through a manufacturing process.”
A new study found girls who consume more than one sugary drink a day may reach puberty earlier than peers who don’t. Research is looking into processed foods, as well as endocrine-disrupting chemicals like synthetic oils, trying to see if we are feeding into early puberty.
“I appreciate the scientists that are writing papers and trying to connect the dots and give us an idea what things we need to avoid if any.”
So if you’ve thought that girls today are growing up too fast, you may just be right.
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