-Caveat Lector-
Puberty Starting Younger -
Caucasian Girls Now Average 9.7 Years
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010207/hl/puberty_young_1.html
2-9-1
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - Scientists have
known for several years that girls and boys are
reaching puberty earlier, but they still don't know
why this is happening, or what the consequences
might be, experts said at a forum here Monday.
In 1997, a landmark study of 17,000 girls found that
the average starting age of puberty had dipped a
year from previous studies of Caucasian girls, to 9.7
years.
African-American girls hit puberty even earlier, at an
average age of about 8, said Marcia
Herman-Giddens, principal author of that study and
a professor at the University of North at Carolina
Chapel Hill.
Data on when puberty starts has been skimpy over
the years--especially for African Americans. But,
said Herman-Giddens, ``I'm confident that this trend
is a real trend,'' adding that adolescence seems to
be starting earlier and lasting longer in children
worldwide. She is currently analyzing data on
American boys.
``What we're seeing is a symptom of a very serious
public health problem,'' said Herman-Giddens,
noting that the long term physical and mental health
impact of early puberty are not understood.
Being obese or overweight, which has been
associated with premature puberty, may be one
potential cause. Others include genetics, low
birthweight, poor diet, lack of activity, and
surprisingly, an absentee father or a non-relative
male in the house have also been offered as
explanations.
Scientists have also been exploring whether
so-called ''endocrine disrupters''--a group of
chemicals thought to interfere with hormonal
function--might be spurring or delaying puberty, said
Herman-Giddens.
John Peterson Myers, director of the W. Alton Jones
Foundation and author of a book on chemical
contamination and fetal development, said some of
these chemicals have retarded sexual development
in rat fetuses.
Among the most controversial of these chemicals
are phthalate esters, which are found in toys, vinyl
flooring, detergents, and cosmetics and lotions. The
chemical and cosmetics industry says phthalates
have been proven safe and that they have no role in
causing early puberty.
``The science is not certain, but there is a plausible
link,'' contends Myers.Diana Zuckerman, executive
director of the National Center for Policy Research
for Women & Families, said she worries about the
psychological impact of early puberty on young
girls.
Previous studies have shown that girls who develop
at a young age begin dating earlier, have sex
sooner, are subject to more psychological stress,
more behavioral problems, and were more likely to
drink and smoke, said Zuckerman.
``No matter what they look like, they are still little
girls,'' she said. Zuckerman also added that early
puberty places additional stress on parents who
have to explain sexuality at a younger age.
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