developing Trend
Health, the average age of a girl’s first
Stemming the
According to researchers, physicians
menstrual period has declined from 13.3
and parent advocacy groups, stories
years, in women born prior to 1920,
Tide of Puberty
like Emily’s are growing more com-
to 12.4 years in those born after 1980.
mon, as the average age of the onset of
Another landmark study of 17,000 girls,
Here’s what parents can do
puberty declines. Healthcare providers
published in Pediatrics a decade ago,
and parents are grappling with what
found that 1 percent of Caucasian girls
to either help prevent early
to do about it. In February, the U.S.
and 3 percent of African-American girls
Environmental Protection Agency and
now begin developing breasts and/or
puberty or slow its
the National Institute of Environmental
pubic hair by age 3. By 8, roughly half
progression once it starts:
Health Sciences published a sweeping
of African-American girls and 15 percent
multi-study review in the journal, Pedi-
of Caucasian girls show signs of sexual
AvOId
atrics, concluding, “Data are sufficient
development. Overall, African-American
HORmONe-lAdeN FOOd
to suggest” that girls are indeed getting
girls currently begin puberty between
All milk contains hormones, but raw
their periods and developing breasts far
ages 8 and 9; Caucasian girls by 10—as
or organic milk won’t have the added
earlier, and that environmental factors
much as a full year earlier than they did
bovine growth hormone. Choose hor-
likely play a significant role.
in the 1960s.
mone-free meat and keep soy, which
Researchers noted that premature
One federally funded study of more
mimics estrogen, to a minimum.
puberty can have serious public health
than 2,000 boys in 2001 suggests that
consequences, including a greater risk
they, too, are maturing earlier. Thirty
BUY ORgANIC FRUITS
of breast cancer in girls and heightened
percent of Caucasians, 38 percent of
risk of testicular cancer in boys, plus
African-Americans and 27 percent of La-
ANd vegeTABleS
higher risk of Type 2 diabetes, metabolic
tinos show some genital development by
syndrome and cardiovascular diseases.
age 8. Average age for the appearance of
CReATe A gReeN
In addition, children who enter puberty
pubic hair is between 11 and 12.
HOUSeHOld
Numerous chemicals found in house-
earlier face a host of psychological
struggles, and are at risk of “early sexual Societal
hold cleaning products, personal care
products, herbicides, insecticides and
debut and potential abuse.”
Response pesticides mimic human hormones.
The report was the latest in a series
In order to quiet parental fears and
of studies to spotlight a disturbing trend
prevent unnecessary treatment with
keeP THe kIdS leAN
to which anyone visiting a public swim-
potentially dangerous medications,
ming pool or shopping mall can attest:
ANd ACTIve
authorities in the pediatrics community
kids are growing up faster than ever.
Obesity strongly correlates with early
have responded to the trend by lower-
According to a study published
puberty.
ing the age defining ‘normal’ puberty.
last year in the Journal of Adolescent
dON’T leT CHIldReN CHew
ON SOFT PlASTIC TOYS
Phthalates, linked to early breast
Researchers noted that premature puberty can have
development, are added to plastic toys
serious public health consequences,
to soften them.
including a greater
dRINk FIlTeRed wATeR
risk of breast cancer in
Many endocrine-disrupting chemicals
can make their way into the house-
girls and heightened risk
hold through the water supply.
of testicular cancer in
TAke SUPPlemeNTS ANd
boys, plus higher risk
eAT FOOdS THAT deTOxIFY
of Type 2 diabetes,
Broccoli, cauliflower and other cru-
ciferous vegetables help the liver
metabolic syndrome
remove environmental waste and
and cardiovascular
provide protection against pollu-
tion.
diseases.
gO BPA-FRee
Choose water bottles, sippy cups
and baby bottles that do not con-
tain bisphenol A.
August 2008 7
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